Validity of smartzip website? (Phoenix: real estate, homes, purchase)

[princesslyka]

Hi Everyone,

We are looking to move to the Phoenix area and have been doing a lot of research on different real estate website. I stumbled upon something called smartzip which gives an assessment of how good/poor/bad is a RE purchase according to its address, both as home owner report and an investor report.

Has anyone used these reports as a selection criteria?

Thank you for your feedback.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by princesslyka

Hi Everyone,

We are looking to move to the Phoenix area and have been doing a lot of research on different real estate website. I stumbled upon something called smartzip which gives an assessment of how good/poor/bad is a RE purchase according to its address, both as home owner report and an investor report.

Has anyone used these reports as a selection criteria?

Thank you for your feedback.

I just downloaded 2 reports. One for a property I own, and another for a clients home.

My honest opinion is it's worth what you pay for it, $3.95.

The estimate of value is too difficult to determine without seeing the inside of a home, and the competing Active homes, and comparing the features of the recently Sold listings.

The property tax estimate is wrong. For my property the tax is $1,400. They showed $6,000.

For my clients home they showed the current value to be 10% below what it actually is.

They show the property to be in a HIGH risk for flood, which is not correct. Both properties are in the Flood Zone X1

There's nothing to lose by paying $3.95 for the report, and using it as a rough guide, but it will not replace getting price and market opinions from people in the local business, including Realtors, other investors and property managers.