Zillow comps

I was jogged to check out Zillow once again by a news release that they had received a $30 million dollar packet in a business proposal. For curiosity, I went there once again and typed in my own address to see what would come up as value and comparables.  The value was a bit lower than I had hoped for, but I am living in Ann Arbor amidst some of the most trying real estate times Michigan and the nation presumably has seen in decades, so no surprise there really.  I just hope my husband holds onto his job in the auto industry since the real estate industry is not currently making me a millionaire!  I do appreciate that holding on in real estate and seeing first hand what is happening in this incredibly down market will ultimately benefit me.  I will be a much stronger agent in the end than one who lived through the golden days here in the Ann Arbor market in the 90's and early 2000's.  Anyway, value of my property was disappointing but not devastating.  What really bothered me about the comps though were the actual properties being used as comps.  One among them was a listing I sold in March and though it was a lovely place that the owners took a bath on in the sale, the loss on sale largely compensated luckily by an out-of-state new employer, it was in no way comparable to my property!  It was in a subdivision on a tiny lot; I am less than five miles away on a metes and bounds parcel with acreage.  The school districts are entirely different.  My square footage is about double that listing, plus the finished basement of another 1500 or so square footage - their basement was unfinished.  I have views, custom build, landscaping, numerous versatile spaces and a first floor master.   That property was not a comp to mine!  My point should be clear by now.  Use Zillow with caution.  A realtor who knows the area is far superior to a company like Zillow.  For those individuals and even realtors who think the price per square foot, without taking anything else into account, is actually a valid market price - NO!  Valuing real estate is a complicated equation and realtors don't always get it right straight out of the gate.  A good realtor will quickly question price when showings are poor or when good showings do not produce an offer.  If a seller is cooperative with showings, there are only two things to blame at that stage of the game - price and condition.  Condition cannot be witnessed via the internet nor can the condition of the comparables.  What chance does a company like Zillow have when they are just using numbers?  It is a case of not seeing the trees for the forest.  Anyone can grow a box elder but good luck with that tri-color beech.  If I lost you with that analogy, well, rest assured, internet sites are not the place to find your best market price.  Consult a realtor, please!