Though there are plenty of tools out there to help you find the home of your dreams, it seems as though Zillow is the primary choice of many prospective buyers in this area.
It makes sense, too – Zillow is easy to use whether you’re on a computer or if you’re using their app on your phone. When using the app, you can turn on notifications so you’re made aware of when properties come on the market that meet your criteria. You can even draw on a map to signify the area you’d like to live, and Zillow will let you know about properties within that area that you might be interested in.
Of course, like anything, Zillow isn’t all roses…
In this week’s vlog, Katie and I discuss some of the pitfalls of Zillow (as well as a few more benefits, too!).
As we discuss in the video, Zillow can sometimes present information that isn’t totally accurate about a property. That’s because unlike Realtor.com, Zillow does not always pull data from the Multiple List Service (MLS). In fact, since property owners can log in to Zillow and add information, you need to be aware that some details may or may not be completely accurate.
For example, if you own a home that’s 1,600 square feet, but you swear it’s 1,800 square feet, you could update the property’s Zillow page to reflect that larger number, even if it’s inaccurate.
However, the worst part of Zillow is their Zestimate tool, which, although it might work very well for larger cities with cookie-cutter neighborhoods, it struggles to identify appropriate price estimates for homes in our area.
Besides, Wyoming is a non-disclosure state, so when a home sells, its sales price is not made publicly available. Without that information, Zillow is simply guessing as to its estimated price of a home, which makes it a completely unreliable measure.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
If you’re looking for a home on Zillow, use the following tips to make the most of your search:
- Look for a Visual Tour link on the property page. These tours often include photos that are not on the listing page, including panoramic photos that give you a better sense of the space in various rooms of the home.
- Look at the “Similar Homes For Sale”at the bottom of the property page to see homes that are a similar size or price point.
- As noted earlier, use the Zillow app and turn on post notifications so you know when homes that fit your criteria come on the market.
- Pay close attention to the “Facts and Features” area of the page. This section of the property listing includes details about everything from the type of flooring in the home to the type of roof it has and provides valuable details about the home’s features and condition.
- Use the “Contact Agent” portal on the listing page to send a message directly to the listing agent of the property. They can provide you with additional details about the home should you have questions.
In the end, Zillow is a great tool for prospective homebuyers, especially if you learn what aspects of the site to utilize and which ones to avoid.
As always, if you have questions about this topic, don’t hesitate to call us at Wind River Realty at 307-856-3999!
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