Special offer

Are Real Estate Valuation Websites Making REALTORS Jobs Easier or More Difficult?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. BK629999

are real estate valuation websites making realtors job easierSome of us have already experienced this....

a buyer that calls us or brings a copy of information on a property from an internet site with an estimate (I prefer to use the word guess-estimate) of what a particular property is valued at.

Sometimes this information proves to be quite a stretch from the true value of a property.

Today, there are a handful of useful real estate websites that provide excellent information to the public.  Often times the information provided can make a REALTOR's job much easier, but...

Often times, it can make a REALTOR's job much more complicated.

Some sites provide information on the "value" of a home in today's market.  Well, unfortunately the information is not always correct.  Often times there is not sufficient data for those sites to "guess-estimate" the value of a home. 

Has the home been updated? Has remodeling been done? Does it have a new kitchen and baths?  Does it have crown moulding, ceramic tile floors, updated windows, immaculate landscaping, updated fixtures...?

Does it have a newer roof and a/c? (A roof and a/c don't always directly add value, however an educated buyer "expects" those things in a home.  These items certainly make a home much more attractive to a buyer, than a home that doesn't have them.) 

There are so many factors that must be considered in looking for the true value of a home in today's market. 

And, I know in my area of Melbourne here in Brevard County Florida the market is changing so quickly that we see that some of these real estate internet sites are not able to keep up with the ever changing market. Remember also, the information coming out of these sites, is only as good as the information going in.

So, my advice to buyers and sellers:  when looking for true market value of a property, contact a local realtor to the property in question, and get a comparative market analysis.  Don't take the word of an internet website as the true figure.

Kelly Townsend
Coldwell Banker - Santa Rosa, CA
CDPE, Realtor

Hi Sandy -

Well said. I was just looking at the value of my home today on Homegain.com. Although they give a range and do show what other properties have sold for it doesn't have specifics about each property. I always suggest to people that they go to the experts, the Realtor. In the staging business we have a similar situation with HGTV. Some of the stuff they are showing is not reality, it's a TV show. So we have to educate the public to talk to the real experts.

Sep 22, 2008 07:09 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hey Kelly,  Thanks for the comment,  I knew that I wasn't the only one experiencing this.  As I seem to run into it at least once a week or so.  Sometimes it can really make our situation difficult.  Have a great week!

Sep 22, 2008 07:15 AM
Teresa Berry
Seattle, WA

Hi Sandy, just stopping by to say hello and see that all is well with you there in Florida, Good to see your smiling face as always.  Cheers!

Sep 22, 2008 03:36 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Miss Teresa, How are you?  I am doing quite well, thanks for asking.  The family is doing well and business is brisk.  No complaints!  I hope that you and yours are doing fine also.  Thanks so much for checking in - you're a dear!

Sep 23, 2008 06:45 AM
David Saks
Memphis, TN
Broker / Industry Analyst

Good post, Sandy. The local CMA is absolutely the best frame of reference for the market you serve. National stats rely on what they have available, and the methods of updating may be dependable in some instances, but are not disseminated in a timely manner, and may possess mathematical contravention because of the "all encompassing nature" of the data reporting systems. Hope your having a fine week.

Sep 23, 2008 06:51 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi David, Thanks for the kudos!  I didn't think that I was the only one that was occasionally running in to this situation.  I think there is a lot of good info available online today,  However, I think that the public, as well as REALTORS should use it with caution, and continue to do additional legwork to be sure they have complete data.  I'm having a good week -thank you -same to you!

Sep 23, 2008 07:19 AM