Andy's Q&A

Andy from Zillow here. I'm far from the most qualified person here to answer your question (we have some very smart PhD's in charge of our Zestimate algorithms that we keep locked up in the basement), but here's what I understand. While a home's basic facts are important in determining the Zestimate, its past sales history (if there is one) is also relevant. That's because there's a wide range of quality and styles across, say, three bedroom two bath homes. While two homes may have the same basic home facts, if one recently sold for $40K more than the other, it would suggest that there was something special about that home (a great view, marble countertops, etc.), and its Zestimate would be higher.In this particular case, it looks like 1757 La Maderia Dr SW sold for $340,000 less than a year ago. Since the value of a home is defined as what someone is willing to pay for it, that means that the value of the home at that time was $340,000. While the Zestimate has since dropped (presumably because other comparable homes in the area are selling for less), it's still higher than the surrounding homes. On the other hand, 1691 Las Palmos Dr SW is currently on the market for $285,000. Since the owner is willing to sell the home for that price, that implies that it's an appropriate value. Hope that helps explain what you're seeing.

Andy from Zillow here. I'm far from the most qualified person here to answer your question (we have some very smart PhD's in charge of our Zestimate algorithms that we keep locked up in the basement), but here's what I understand. While a home's basic facts are important in determining the Zestimate, its past sales history (if there is one) is also relevant. That's because there's a wide range of quality and styles across, say, four bedroom three bath homes. While two homes may have the same basic home facts, if one recently sold for $50K more than the other, it would suggest that there was something special about that home (a great view, marble countertops, etc.), and its Zestimate would be higher. Hope that helps explain what you're seeing.

I imagine the intended price was $165,000, as that seems to be approximately the going price in Cotopaxi. Owner, you should be able to update your selling price from your Home Details Page -- http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=63586143 in your case.

Andy from Zillow here. Unfortunately, I couldn't begin to explain the algorithms used to calculate our Zestimates; we have some very smart PhD's for that. However, if you want to make sure that you get the most accurate valuation of your home, try out the My Estimate feature. It lets you provide details on upgrades you've performed on the home, add or subtract value for intangibles (like a great view), and pick your own comparable homes. When you're done, you can even make it public so the rest of the world sees the home valuation you created. To use the My Estimate feature, just go to your Home Details Page -- http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=46372009 in this case -- and click on the "Create an estimate" link in the top right portion of the page. Hope this helps you arrive at a home valuation that makes more sense.

Quick note to the owner: please consider adding the pictures you reference in your answer to your Zillow Home Details Page. It's easy and free, and it ensures that people who find your listing here will see the pictures. Hope this helps sell your home!

According to the Home Details Page for this home -- the easiest way to get there is by going to http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=57721410 -- this home is for sale by owner. The owner may be marketing their home in other ways, or maybe just on Zillow. Many for sale by owner (or FSBO) homes don't show up in the Multiple Listing Service, which is the source for the listings on most web sites. Hope this helps!

It looks like the Make Me Move price is still set at $40K. If you're having trouble correcting it, you should be able to just click the "Edit Make Me Move info" link in the top right corner of your Home Details page, http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=23462883 in this case, and edit the price there. Hope this helps!

Looks like you've successfully updated your home facts on your home's Home Details Page. One other thing you can do if you're interested is to create a My Estimate, which is kind of like a Zestimate that you create. Your My Estimate can even be published for other people to see. To get started, just click the "Create an estimate" link in the top right corner of your Home Details Page, www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=14733912 in your case.

According to http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/fishing/wfg2001/k_cty.htm (an older posting on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site): "This year-round lake 2-1/2 miles south of Fall City has a public access with parking, ramp and toilets. Largemouth bass and sunfish augment a rainbow population. Expect fair-to-good trout fishing, but only a small percentage of larger carry-overs."

Okay, kind of a lame question, but I lived in this home when I was a boy, 30+ years ago, and iI have lots of great memories from that time in my life. There were lots of kids my age in the neighborhood, and we spent lots of time playing outside. My dad built a great tree house in the back yard, and we used it all the time. It even had a space trolley (kind of a zip line) that went from a platform on the tree house to a nearby tree. (Probably would be considered too dangerous in this day and age, but we had lots of fun on it.)If anyone living in the area knows whether the tree house is still there, I'd love to hear from you.Also, one last story that matters way more to me than it will to anyone else: in the basement there was a door that led out to some concrete steps that led up to the back yard. Right inside that door were some drips of tar that looked exactly like a tiny footprint, including five perfectly placed tiny toes. My brothers and I swore that it must have been made by an elf, and we felt very special to know about this special aspect of our home.Ah, good times.