The Zestimate, Zillow’s proprietary home valuation tool, is a powerful resource for homeowners and potential buyers alike. But what happens when you believe your Zestimate is inaccurate? This article delves into the question Can You Get Zillow To Change Zestimate and explores the avenues available to influence this widely referenced figure.
Understanding the Zestimate and How to Influence It
The Zestimate is an automated valuation model that uses publicly available data and user-submitted information to generate an estimated market value for a home. It considers a multitude of factors, including property features, sales history, and market trends. While it’s a sophisticated algorithm, it’s not a perfect science. Understanding the limitations and data sources is crucial for anyone hoping to influence their Zestimate.
Here’s a breakdown of what impacts your Zestimate and how you can potentially affect it:
- Property characteristics (square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, lot size)
- Recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood
- Publicly recorded data (tax assessments, sales records)
- User-submitted data (home improvements, amenities)
If you find discrepancies, Zillow provides specific ways to contribute to a more accurate valuation. The primary methods involve:
- Claiming your Zillow profile and updating property details. This is the most direct way to provide your own verified information.
- Suggesting edits to incorrect data points. If square footage or room counts are off, you can flag this.
- Highlighting significant home improvements that may not be reflected in public records.
It’s important to note that Zillow doesn’t manually change Zestimates on demand. Instead, they rely on algorithms that update and recalculate based on new data. Your goal is to provide Zillow with the most accurate and comprehensive data possible to ensure their algorithm reflects your home’s true condition and features.
Consider this table illustrating the types of data Zillow uses and how you can provide input:
| Data Type | Zillow’s Source | Your Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | Public Records, User Edits | Claim profile and correct square footage. |
| Renovations | Public Records (sometimes), User Edits | Add details of significant remodels (kitchen, bath, additions). |
| Property Features | Public Records, User Edits | Specify lot features, amenities (pool, garage), and condition. |
The key takeaway is that while you can’t directly “negotiate” your Zestimate, you absolutely possess the power to provide accurate information that the Zestimate algorithm will then process. For the most up-to-date and detailed guidance on how to effectively update your home’s information on Zillow, consult the resources provided directly by Zillow.