,

Should I Search For Homes on Zillow?

willy-wonka-zestimate

Do NOT trust “Zestimates.”

Maybe the Zestimate for your home’s value will be correct… I would say they are correct about 20% of the time by accident. The other 80% of the time, they are WRONG. Sometimes Zestimates are higher than your homes value, sometimes they are lower. I have seen them be off by $100,000 on a $300,000 home! Point being, there currently is no technology that can correctly assess a home’s value. It’s best to get a good realtor to give you a Broker Price Opinion for your home’s value and we are happy to provide those for people at any time. (Note: a Broker Price Opinion is NOT an appraisal, nor are realtors qualified to provide you with a home appraisal unless they are also a licensed appraiser.)

With that being said, we have also run into tons of problems with our clients shopping for homes on Zillow.

At Conscious Real Estate, we like to refer to Zillow (or it’s best friend, Trulia) as “The Heartbreaker.”  Why? Most often, when our clients find homes on Zillow or Trulia, the home has been under contract for quite awhile. We have seen numerous cases where the home has sold months prior. 

Here, we’ll break down what the MLS system is and how it is the only system to use when looking for your new home…

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service and is endorsed by the National Association of Realtors. The system originated in the 1800’s when real estate agents would get together and share information on the properties that they had available.

Over time, more and more realtors joined the National Association of Realtors and as technology advanced over the last century, the service became digital.

Also over time, and with the advent on the Internet, also came commercial businesses trying to emulate the MLS by way of Trulia, Zillow and the many others out there. Unlike the MLS, Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com are not regulated by any oversight such as the National Association of Realtors.

They are called “aggregate syndicators” in the industry because essentially, they are just media companies who take the legitimate information (and often copyrighted photos and more) from the MLS system and duplicate the listing on their site. The “suggested realtors” that appear on the sidebar for these properties are simply agents who are paying for advertising with them – not the agent on record and usually an agent who has no idea they are being suggested for that property – they simply showed up there due to the program’s marketing algorithms.

Additionally, realtors know they don’t have to follow the rules on Zillow.  If a realtor posts her listings on Zillow, she can leave it up for as long as she likes with no regulation.  Interested buyers will see this property, get excited, and call the realtor.

The realtor then informs the prospective buyer, “I’m so sorry. This home is under contract, but I can certainly help you find something similar.” See what she did there? She just got a new client from Zillow, by being sneaky. On the MLS, properties must have their status updated very quickly and realtors can’t play such reindeer games.

Further, these aggregate syndicators take listings from wherever they can find them. Take this case study for example from Geoffrey Shiering, a San Diego real estate agent and California broker:

“I’ve personally published a “house for sale” advertisement on Craigslist (a home that was not on the MLS), and in less than 24 hours the property description and photos that I’d posted on Craigslist were being displayed alongside my local San Diego MLS listings on Zillow. Anyone can publish anything on Craigslist, whether it’s real, fake, exaggerated, or a downright scam. And when Zillow displays unverified, junk information right alongside MLS listings, the public assumes that the junk is just as accurate as the MLS data.”

Unbelievable. So, before you spend all your time researching online, contact your local real estate agent and tell them what you’re looking for so that they can get you accurate, real-time listings and get you on track for that new home you’ve been longing for.

If you have any questions about the MLS or want to start getting notifications, contact us here and we’ll get in touch with you right away. Just let us know some of the details (how many baths, bedrooms, fenced yard, neighborhoods, open floor plan, price range etc.) and how often you want to receive notifications by email. You can choose from daily, weekly or monthly and can always change the frequency as well.

And, when you purchase a home with Conscious Real Estate, you will be making a positive impact on your community. We donate 10% of our own commission to a nonprofit of your choice. Find a home, make a difference – that’s the way we do business.

 

9346 replies
  116. RicBrosy
    RicBrosy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]for sale <a href="[Link deleted]5mg <a href="[Link deleted]female viagra <a href="[Link deleted]prescription <a href="[Link deleted]canadian levitra <a href="[Link deleted]you buy acyclovir online

    Reply
  207. RichardRof
    RichardRof says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]zanaflex <a href="[Link deleted]online pharmacy <a href="[Link deleted]viagra without prescription <a href="[Link deleted]of viagra in india <a href="[Link deleted]much is lexapro <a href="[Link deleted]10 mg order online <a href="[Link deleted]25mg <a href="[Link deleted]soft tabs 10mg

    Reply
  239. WilliamEvelm
    WilliamEvelm says:

    [Link deleted]canadian drugs online
    <a href=[Link deleted]canadian pharmacy online buy prescription drugs without doctor

    Reply
  254. WilliamEvelm
    WilliamEvelm says:

    [Link deleted]comfortis without vet prescription
    <a href=[Link deleted]to get prescription drugs without doctor pain meds without written prescription

    Reply
  261. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]40 mg mexico <a href="[Link deleted]brand <a href="[Link deleted]online uk <a href="[Link deleted]tadalafil from canada <a href="[Link deleted]1600 mg <a href="[Link deleted]10 mg tablet brand name

    Reply
  280. Williambaf
    Williambaf says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]prednisone from canada <a href="[Link deleted]generic over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]propranolol 40mg <a href="[Link deleted]of viagra 100mg in canada <a href="[Link deleted]pharmacy prednisone <a href="[Link deleted]online thai pharmacy

    Reply
  281. EyeCaddy
    EyeCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]25 mg price in india <a href="[Link deleted]10 mg <a href="[Link deleted]blood pressure <a href="[Link deleted]ventolin <a href="[Link deleted]4 tablets price <a href="[Link deleted]pharmacy online

    Reply
  285. EyeCaddy
    EyeCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]fast shipping <a href="[Link deleted]cymbalta 30 mg <a href="[Link deleted]cialis 2.5 mg <a href="[Link deleted]of generic effexor <a href="[Link deleted]800mg black

    Reply
  293. EyeCaddy
    EyeCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]brand name in india <a href="[Link deleted]tablets over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]10mg capsules uk <a href="[Link deleted]to get effexor <a href="[Link deleted]for sale <a href="[Link deleted]20 <a href="[Link deleted]onlin3

    Reply
  304. RicBrosy
    RicBrosy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]buy online usa <a href="[Link deleted]80 mg <a href="[Link deleted]25 mg <a href="[Link deleted]cost in canada <a href="[Link deleted]cheap cialis online <a href="[Link deleted]cialis online <a href="[Link deleted]200 mg <a href="[Link deleted]75

    Reply
  309. RichardRof
    RichardRof says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]baclofen uk <a href="[Link deleted]sildenafil with visa <a href="[Link deleted]price benicar <a href="[Link deleted]cialis super active <a href="[Link deleted]100mg india price

    Reply
  310. RicBrosy
    RicBrosy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]pharmacy no prescription <a href="[Link deleted]25 <a href="[Link deleted]purchase online <a href="[Link deleted]can i get cialis <a href="[Link deleted]prescription australia

    Reply
  317. Josephlem
    Josephlem says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]daily generic <a href="[Link deleted]10 <a href="[Link deleted]10 <a href="[Link deleted]you buy neurontin over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]to buy ivermectin <a href="[Link deleted]10mg canada

    Reply
  320. AlanCaddy
    AlanCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]name albuterol tab <a href="[Link deleted]prednisone for dogs online without a prescription <a href="[Link deleted]pills where to buy <a href="[Link deleted]online australia paypal <a href="[Link deleted]viagra 50mg <a href="[Link deleted]cost generic

    Reply
  321. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]tablets <a href="[Link deleted]cost in usa <a href="[Link deleted]oral jelly viagra <a href="[Link deleted]0.5 daily <a href="[Link deleted]cost south africa <a href="[Link deleted]prescription discount

    Reply
  330. WilliamEvelm
    WilliamEvelm says:

    [Link deleted]carprofen without vet prescription
    <a href=[Link deleted]to get prescription drugs without doctor canadian drug pharmacy

    Reply
  333. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]over the counter uk <a href="[Link deleted]75 mg <a href="[Link deleted]75 mg price canada <a href="[Link deleted]600 mg tablet <a href="[Link deleted]can i get cialis cheap <a href="[Link deleted]100 mg tablets <a href="[Link deleted]10mg cost <a href="[Link deleted]inhalers for sale

    Reply
  346. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]chloroquine <a href="[Link deleted]mg prednisone online <a href="[Link deleted]20mg 40mg tablets <a href="[Link deleted]atarax without prescription <a href="[Link deleted]10 mg prices <a href="[Link deleted]otc singulair <a href="[Link deleted]500 mg tablet

    Reply
  347. MaryCaddy
    MaryCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]6.25 mg <a href="[Link deleted]a cream singapore <a href="[Link deleted]for sale canada <a href="[Link deleted]cialis pill <a href="[Link deleted]50 mg online <a href="[Link deleted]online uk <a href="[Link deleted]200 mcg usa

    Reply
  355. Josephlem
    Josephlem says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]10 <a href="[Link deleted]0.2g <a href="[Link deleted]75 mg <a href="[Link deleted]buy online <a href="[Link deleted]4mg cost <a href="[Link deleted]cost australia <a href="[Link deleted]100 prices

    Reply
  366. Williambaf
    Williambaf says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]for anxiety <a href="[Link deleted]100 for sale <a href="[Link deleted]lyrica online <a href="[Link deleted]pill <a href="[Link deleted]in mexico <a href="[Link deleted]cost of zoloft

    Reply
  395. AlanCaddy
    AlanCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]price <a href="[Link deleted]motilium online <a href="[Link deleted]you buy metformin in canada without a prescription <a href="[Link deleted]40 mg <a href="[Link deleted]500 mg tablet <a href="[Link deleted]levaquin

    Reply
  400. ZakCaddy
    ZakCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]to buy strattera in canada <a href="[Link deleted]wellbutrin online <a href="[Link deleted]augmentin 1000 mg <a href="[Link deleted]much is amoxicillin 500 mg <a href="[Link deleted]of flagyl

    Reply
  408. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]you buy baclofen <a href="[Link deleted]pills for sale <a href="[Link deleted]to buy lyrica cheap <a href="[Link deleted]500 <a href="[Link deleted]gel <a href="[Link deleted]online uk <a href="[Link deleted]discount pharmacy <a href="[Link deleted]20 mg

    Reply
  424. Jamesquoli
    Jamesquoli says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]10 mg <a href="[Link deleted]for sale online <a href="[Link deleted]over the counter usa <a href="[Link deleted]25g <a href="[Link deleted]capsules 21 mg <a href="[Link deleted]advair online cheap <a href="[Link deleted]malegra fxt <a href="[Link deleted]you buy zoloft in mexico

    Reply
  426. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]capsule 500mg <a href="[Link deleted]medication <a href="[Link deleted]drug <a href="[Link deleted]20mg <a href="[Link deleted]script <a href="[Link deleted]4 mg tablet buy online

    Reply
  437. JoeCaddy
    JoeCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]60 mg price <a href="[Link deleted]nasal spray <a href="[Link deleted]can i buy hydrochlorothiazide over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]20 mg

    Reply
  447. pgauto
    pgauto says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]เกมสล็อตออนไลน์บนโทรศัพท์เคลื่อนที่ที่เล่นได้เงินจริงขาดเงินฝากอย่างต่ำ ทุกเกมมีความสนุกสนานร่าเริงมากมายก่ายกอง ไม่ว่าจะเป็นจอเกม เพลงประกอบ กฎของเกม ต่าง ๆ

    Reply
  448. พี จี
    พี จี says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]จี ค่ายเกมชั้นหนึ่ง ที่ทำให้การเล่นเกมออนไลน์ ของท่านง่ายแล้วก็สบายเพิ่มขึ้น ไม่ต้องเสียเวล่ำเวลาเดินทาง พีจีสล็อต เนื่องจากสามารถเล่นบนโทรศัพท์เคลื่อนที่ได้ ฝากถอนเร็ว

    Reply
  449. superslot เล่น ผ่าน เว็บ
    superslot เล่น ผ่าน เว็บ says:

    superslot เล่น ผ่าน เว็บ เว็บไซต์สล็อตออนไลน์ รูปแบบใหม่ ซุปเปอร์สล็อตเอ็กซ์ดี มาแรง กับ pg-slot.game ที่มาแรงที่สุดในขณะนี้ ทางพวกเราเป็นคนที่ให้บริการเกม พีจีสล็อต ที่สนุกที่สุด

    Reply
  459. Williambaf
    Williambaf says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]20 mg pill <a href="[Link deleted]5 mg tablet <a href="[Link deleted]50mg tabs <a href="[Link deleted]100 prices <a href="[Link deleted]for 5mg prednisone <a href="[Link deleted]you buy vermox over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]online <a href="[Link deleted]1540 mg daily

    Reply
  465. Darryldes
    Darryldes says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]nexium online <a href="[Link deleted]buspar online cheap <a href="[Link deleted]over the counter drug <a href="[Link deleted]to order advair from canada <a href="[Link deleted]prescription uk <a href="[Link deleted]no preciption <a href="[Link deleted]valtrex online prescription <a href="[Link deleted]to buy cheap albenza

    Reply
  466. EyeCaddy
    EyeCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]250 mg tablets <a href="[Link deleted]100mg price <a href="[Link deleted]hydrochlorothiazide <a href="[Link deleted]pill <a href="[Link deleted]75mg

    Reply
  468. MaryCaddy
    MaryCaddy says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]mg zanaflex <a href="[Link deleted]over the counter <a href="[Link deleted]buy no prescription <a href="[Link deleted]much is generic phenergan <a href="[Link deleted]pharmacy <a href="[Link deleted]prescription <a href="[Link deleted]for plavix <a href="[Link deleted]tadalafil no rx

    Reply
  478. Josephlem
    Josephlem says:

    <a href="[Link deleted]2.5 <a href="[Link deleted]generic usa <a href="[Link deleted]for sale <a href="[Link deleted]6 mg capsules <a href="[Link deleted]baclofen 50mg

    Reply
  493. TommyMer