Which Real Estate search engine to use? (sales, houses)

[Aloysius603]

What's the most reliable up-to-date real estate search engine to use? Zillow? Realtor? Redfin?

I've been using Zillow since I'm use to how it's laid out. I can quickly find and know where the information I'm looking for is. Speaking of which, can someone tell me why realtors hate Zillow? what should I use instead?

[yesmaybe]

Haven't used it in a long time but Zillow's data quality is bad. I use Redfin but Realtor should be fine too.

[Aloysius603]

thanks... also, any thoughts on the zestimate from Zillow or the Estimate from Redfin? Any good? are there any other sites that provide estimated values for a house?

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by Aloysius603

thanks... also, any thoughts on the zestimate from Zillow or the Estimate from Redfin? Any good? are there any other sites that provide estimated values for a house?

You shouldn’t be using algo-driven valuations. Period.

[BostonMike7]

Redfin is what I use

[bugelrex]

Originally Posted by Aloysius603

thanks... also, any thoughts on the zestimate from Zillow or the Estimate from Redfin? Any good? are there any other sites that provide estimated values for a house?

I never look at zestimate, instead look at past sales and visit open houses. You will get an idea that house x sold 3 months ago is very compable to size, location, condition of homes on market

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by Aloysius603

thanks... also, any thoughts on the zestimate from Zillow or the Estimate from Redfin? Any good? are there any other sites that provide estimated values for a house?

It's usually the right order of magnitude. Usually.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

I never look at zestimate, instead look at past sales and visit open houses. You will get an idea that house x sold 3 months ago is very compable to size, location, condition of homes on market

This is really the only ‘accurate’ way, however, it requires a fairly unbiased evaluator ... typically that means NOT the existing homeowner. There are far too many variables for a algo-driven valuations to be highly accurate.

My house is a perfect example: Redfin lists it roughly 25% low as their valuation algo does not account for A) the previous sale being a two bank short-sale, and B) the house having received a rather extensive update including systems and windows.

Zillow’s algo seems to not weight previous sale as much, so their valuation is much closer to the current market ... arguably a bit too inflated.

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by Aloysius603

are there any other sites that provide estimated values for a house?

I believe that riight before buying my home the zestimate was something like 15-20% higher than what I ended up paying for it. It went down to what I paid right after the purchase. 4-5 months after was already 10% higher, now that a few years have passed is something like 25% higher. Considering that I live in a rural part of MA I am pretty confident that I would make a minimal amount of money above what I paid.
So I would say the zestimate is substantially off.

[wolfgang239]

I use Redfin. There are some pieces of info that only come with having a login so make sure you go through the process of setting up an account.