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Winnetka Condo - Zillow Disappoints Again

By
Real Estate Agent with @Properties

I know that buyers and sellers love scrolling through Zillow, Trulia, and other real estate sites to look at properties.  Personally, if I am looking for properties in an area that I'm unfamiliar with, I prefer to find a local realtor or brokerage and peruse their site.

Why?  Because I know that Zillow, while fun and seemingly comprehensive, is often incorrect.  They show foreclosures that are not, in fact, anywhere near to being listed.  They show homes for sale that sold months ago.

Example - a client called me today and asked about a "For Sale by Owner" condo in a Winnetka complex that she is interested in.  She sent me the link and I was astonished to see how much of the information was wrong.  And the listed phone number was disconnected.

It was listed as a three-bedroom For Sale by Owner and listed for $435,000.  A quick check in the MLS showed that the condo had already sold as a regular sale, and was listed for $535,000 and sold for $520,000.

The Zillow listing:

Zillow listingZillow listing
Zillow listing

This is how it appears today, December 12.  The condo closed in early November for almost $100,000 more than the supposed list price here.  

I want to say that Zillow is a good source to just compare prices and values.  But with this Winnetka condo showing at this price, I can't even say that.  It's way off the actual value of a three-bedroom in that building.

Bottom line:  call a professional to get the most recent comps and information for your local market. And if you would like help finding a condo in Winnetka or the North Shore, please give me a call -

847-977-6024

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Specializing in homes for sale in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Northbrook, and Evanston.

Comments (7)

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Margaret,  If people want accurate information they are served well by working a professional who has access to the most current MLS information. In the meantime, all we can do is continue to educate the consumers so they know what's real and what's likely not.

Dec 12, 2014 08:06 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Margaret. I do not know how Zillow and Tulia come up with their estimates. I don't know what they use some type of algorithm that is equvalent to painting with a broad paint brush.

Dec 12, 2014 05:48 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Doesn't matter Margaret.

The web site "zillow.com" generates the clicks and the clicks sell the advertising.

That's where their money is.

Dec 12, 2014 11:13 PM
Michael Dagner
Brokers Guild Classic - Denver, CO
Your Denver Homes Realty Expert

Margaret, I've noticed the misinformation many times.  Not sure what people think they're getting out of these sites to keep them coming back?

Dec 13, 2014 04:20 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

And for some reason many would rather believe what they are seeing on this website, than the professional in front of them.  That totally frustrates me.  These websites and the info provided online are tools.  NOTHING replaces the professional though ... you are so right about that, Margaret Goss ...

Gene  

Dec 14, 2014 11:42 AM
Broker Patty Da Silva Da Silva
Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Cooper City, FL
Top Listing Broker

I agree! I report them all the time. There are properties that are ridiculously cheap but do not even exist. 

Dec 15, 2014 02:35 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Kathleen Daniels - indeed - I've written several posts about this subject!

Michael Thornton - using a broad brush is an apt description of their algorithm.

Lenn Harley - . . .sigh . . . I know you're right, but I still want to correct them every time I see the misinformation they publish.

Gene Mundt, Chicago-area Mortgage Lender - www.genemundt.com  - obviously consumers (myself included) enjoy browsing these sites online - without intrusion.  But when their information is so off base it makes our jobs harder.  Sometimes it makes us look like fools - like we don't what's going on.

Patty Da Silva, Davie, Southwest Ranches Cooper City, Plantation, Weston, REALTOR - I didn't know you could report them?  Do you actually report them to someone or do you mean writing posts like I do calling them out?

Dec 15, 2014 04:51 AM