- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Answers (14)
RChan, the info they post is not merely the public info. If that were the case then I wouldn't complain, They take the little public info they can find (outdated or incorrect is irrelevent to them) and then run it through their own system to value the market.
If they listed just the public records -- the latest tax assessment, the last time the property was sold and the price at that sale -- then yay, I'm all for it. But they don't.
It's the "zestimates" that are the joke and should be able to be removed as per a citizen's request.
If they listed just the public records -- the latest tax assessment, the last time the property was sold and the price at that sale -- then yay, I'm all for it. But they don't.
It's the "zestimates" that are the joke and should be able to be removed as per a citizen's request.
- Rchan81
- Contributions:73
You say so yourself that it is PUBLIC information. Why should you be able to "opt out". Can you "opt out" of your PUBLIC county records?
Zillow does not have a legal obligation to report public information, but I appreciate that they do. On the micro level, Zestimates can't be relied upon. However, I believe on the macro level Zillow provides a good picture on markets and values. This is only accomplished by reporting all information available, which I feel is why Zillow won't and shouldn't let people opt out. Because for the broader market it paints a clearer picture.
Zillow does not have a legal obligation to report public information, but I appreciate that they do. On the micro level, Zestimates can't be relied upon. However, I believe on the macro level Zillow provides a good picture on markets and values. This is only accomplished by reporting all information available, which I feel is why Zillow won't and shouldn't let people opt out. Because for the broader market it paints a clearer picture.
What I understand is irrelevant. This sorry excuse for a website should have an "opt out" for people like me who don't want to be on it. They are not an organization that has a legal obligation to list public information. They are a private company, making money off the advertising on a website that is chock full of erroneous and misleading information.
Shame!
Shame!
- Rchan81
- Contributions:73
fancyfitz - " A home is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it, regardless of what the math says.
So Zillow, stop telling the world that my house is worth less than what I can list it for and get in the sale. "
So fancyfitz, it sounds like you have an understanding of what the Zestimate means. Why do you put so much emphasis on that number then? If you can list and sell at whatever value you are happy with, Zestimate should not affect you in anyway then. If your neighborhood commands such a premium, this should be reflected in the Zestimate, as the recorded sale prices are factored into the algorithm.
So Zillow, stop telling the world that my house is worth less than what I can list it for and get in the sale. "
So fancyfitz, it sounds like you have an understanding of what the Zestimate means. Why do you put so much emphasis on that number then? If you can list and sell at whatever value you are happy with, Zestimate should not affect you in anyway then. If your neighborhood commands such a premium, this should be reflected in the Zestimate, as the recorded sale prices are factored into the algorithm.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
fancyfitz - I understand ..........and empathize with you
I have no problem with the real estate industry having online resources like MLS that are meant to inform potential homebuyers of the costs they can expect when choosing to live in a specific area.
The problem I have is specifically with Zillow. Their algorithms seem to be based solely on mathematical data that is often incomplete or downright erroneous.
As many people have said, even when the correct purchase price is listed, they have failed miserably integrating the values associated with the homes that have been upgraded, reassessed, or are simply in a situation where location itself adds to the market value of the home.
Agents, sellers and buyers know and understand this, why can't zillow?
And if they refuse to adjust their "math" to try to get the most accurate values on their site, then they should allow a homeowner to request that their information be removed.
In my city, the neighborhood I live in consistently sells homes at a much higher asking price than the "values" that zillow places on those very same homes. These are the true values of these homes... the prices are not solely based on square footage, lot size, previous purchase price and tax value. People pay MORE to live where I live. It is fact.
A home is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it, regardless of what the math says.
So Zillow, stop telling the world that my house is worth less than what I can list it for and get in the sale. You are providing false hope to people who want to buy in my neighborhood, and even worse, you may be causing naive homeowners looking to sell, bad data to look at when deciding how much they want to list their home for.
Either way, you stink!
Get your nose out of the value of my home, or at least let me take my home off your crappy website.
And in response to the CEO of Zillow's comment: "we believe that providing home valuations, as imperfect as they might sometimes be, is in the public interest."
How is imperfect data EVER in the best interest of the public?!?
And to say that the bubble might not have happened if sites like yours -- with "imperfect" data -- were around 10 years ago... PLEASE! Give us a break. Your data would have been just as inflated and incorrect as everyone else's; since you glean it from questionable and incomplete sources anyway!
Stop touting yourself as our "edge in real estate" or at least change your tag line to "Your DULL edge in real Estate"
The problem I have is specifically with Zillow. Their algorithms seem to be based solely on mathematical data that is often incomplete or downright erroneous.
As many people have said, even when the correct purchase price is listed, they have failed miserably integrating the values associated with the homes that have been upgraded, reassessed, or are simply in a situation where location itself adds to the market value of the home.
Agents, sellers and buyers know and understand this, why can't zillow?
And if they refuse to adjust their "math" to try to get the most accurate values on their site, then they should allow a homeowner to request that their information be removed.
In my city, the neighborhood I live in consistently sells homes at a much higher asking price than the "values" that zillow places on those very same homes. These are the true values of these homes... the prices are not solely based on square footage, lot size, previous purchase price and tax value. People pay MORE to live where I live. It is fact.
A home is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it, regardless of what the math says.
So Zillow, stop telling the world that my house is worth less than what I can list it for and get in the sale. You are providing false hope to people who want to buy in my neighborhood, and even worse, you may be causing naive homeowners looking to sell, bad data to look at when deciding how much they want to list their home for.
Either way, you stink!
Get your nose out of the value of my home, or at least let me take my home off your crappy website.
And in response to the CEO of Zillow's comment: "we believe that providing home valuations, as imperfect as they might sometimes be, is in the public interest."
How is imperfect data EVER in the best interest of the public?!?
And to say that the bubble might not have happened if sites like yours -- with "imperfect" data -- were around 10 years ago... PLEASE! Give us a break. Your data would have been just as inflated and incorrect as everyone else's; since you glean it from questionable and incomplete sources anyway!
Stop touting yourself as our "edge in real estate" or at least change your tag line to "Your DULL edge in real Estate"
- Nicholas Ribeiro, "NicholasRibeiro"
- Contributions:1807
Good luck.. Let us know how it works out
- Vince Curtis, "SoCal Appraiser"
- Contributions:4699
I totally agree with you. I want to put my nieces home up for sale and the information that is out there will totally undermine her attempts to get the best possible sale price for her home...... 'public service'.
There is no data to support that. Homes sell for market value, not because one free website says a value is this or that.
The big problem now is that none of us like our home values, and its hard for all of us to accept our home is worth 1/2 of what it was a few years ago. Too many of us but too much worth into our homes value, and devalue ourselves to the same extent our homes have been devalued. In America, we put so much emphasis on monetary value, that when you say your home is 'worthless', its like saying YOU are 'worthless'. I see it everyday appraising - its sad but to blame the messenger - either Zillow, Trulia, or an appraiser - but I think you're missing the reason for the anger. Rail against Zillow if you must, and hopefully it will make you feel better.
There is no data to support that. Homes sell for market value, not because one free website says a value is this or that.
The big problem now is that none of us like our home values, and its hard for all of us to accept our home is worth 1/2 of what it was a few years ago. Too many of us but too much worth into our homes value, and devalue ourselves to the same extent our homes have been devalued. In America, we put so much emphasis on monetary value, that when you say your home is 'worthless', its like saying YOU are 'worthless'. I see it everyday appraising - its sad but to blame the messenger - either Zillow, Trulia, or an appraiser - but I think you're missing the reason for the anger. Rail against Zillow if you must, and hopefully it will make you feel better.
- 1elegant1
- Contributions:2
I totally agree with you. I want to put my nieces home up for sale and the information that is out there will totally undermine her attempts to get the best possible sale price for her home. I have noticed the same thing for my own home, they have it seriously undervalued event without consideration for upgrades etc., in our home or the real property values in our neighborhood. They have developed their own "algorithms" with no consideration for reality. It is very arrogant of them to deny us the opportunity to remove information about our properties and to turn a blind eeye to the damage they are causing in the interest of making themselves look like they are providing a "public service".
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
You can't..
Here's what the CEO of Zillow recently said about that
"Regarding why we don't let owners opt their home out of Zestimates: we believe that providing home valuations, as imperfect as they might sometimes be, is in the public interest. Access to this type of information benefits the overall market, and frankly if real estate data including Zestimates had been more readily available in the 2003-2006 bubble era (which was pre-Zillow), perhaps we wouldn't be paying the price today in our overall economy. Information empowers people to make smarter decisions. This is true in every part of our economy, especially the ones where decisions are particularly important (e.g., health care, financial services, real estate). I truly believe that the real estate market is better off due to the information that Zillow provides."
(LINK)
You are part of what Zillow has decided is a Public Service..
They are doing this for YOU..US..the good ol US of A! ...ain't we lucky?
Here's what the CEO of Zillow recently said about that
"Regarding why we don't let owners opt their home out of Zestimates: we believe that providing home valuations, as imperfect as they might sometimes be, is in the public interest. Access to this type of information benefits the overall market, and frankly if real estate data including Zestimates had been more readily available in the 2003-2006 bubble era (which was pre-Zillow), perhaps we wouldn't be paying the price today in our overall economy. Information empowers people to make smarter decisions. This is true in every part of our economy, especially the ones where decisions are particularly important (e.g., health care, financial services, real estate). I truly believe that the real estate market is better off due to the information that Zillow provides."
(LINK)
You are part of what Zillow has decided is a Public Service..
They are doing this for YOU..US..the good ol US of A! ...ain't we lucky?
- Flavio Tejada, "Broker Realtor MBA"
- Contributions:10
Hi,
an owner can add a comment or update his home information, see
http://www.zillow.com/wik ... ormation/
My website has a lengthy article on automated valuation models I recommend you read. Good luck
[promotion and hotlink removed by Zillow moderator]
an owner can add a comment or update his home information, see
http://www.zillow.com/wik ... ormation/
My website has a lengthy article on automated valuation models I recommend you read. Good luck
[promotion and hotlink removed by Zillow moderator]
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
I am sorry to inform both of you, but zillow will not remove zestimates, or intentionally alter them, for any properties.
They use public information, where available, and there is nothing you can do - or anyone can do - about it.
You're not alone, as you can see from other posts on forums here, in your discomfort with your zestimate.
They are created from computer-generated "mathematical algorithms" fueled by public records.
I pay no attention to them whatsoever!
They use public information, where available, and there is nothing you can do - or anyone can do - about it.
You're not alone, as you can see from other posts on forums here, in your discomfort with your zestimate.
They are created from computer-generated "mathematical algorithms" fueled by public records.
I pay no attention to them whatsoever!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26840
Here's Zillow's FAQ on the subject.
- hurtsmysale
- Contributions:1
I agree, I would like to remove all the information too. Zillow shows how much I paid for the house but does not show how much money I put into it for the up-grades and finishing touches.
It has really hurt the sale of my home, I do not have my home up for sale right now because of that reason.
confussed
It has really hurt the sale of my home, I do not have my home up for sale right now because of that reason.
confussed
Remove all information about my home from Zillow.com
How do I remove all the information??
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.