_karen_'s Discussions

ONESHORTKUTZ - If there are changes with your county records, we have to wait until we have been notified by 3rd party data providers that they have recorded the update. However, we really don't have a specific time frame as to when the updated set of properties will be uploaded since it is done by batches. We do thank you for claiming your home and updating the public facts. We don't overwrite the public facts with owner inputted facts, but do publish the owner facts right next to the public facts for everyone to see. You may also want to make your own estimate "public" so that other browsers of the website can see it.

steve_shirley - As previously mentioned to ONESHORTKUTZ, we rely on 3rd party data aggregators for our property data - please note that assessor data is often only updated once a year at the county level, therefore, updates to your home may take awhile to filter from the county records to our data providers and on to our site.You can also publish an "Estimate" by clicking the "Create an estimate" in the upper right of the home details page of this home. This is our way of letting individuals create estimates that take into account additions and upgrades that are not taken into account with the public records. You can make the estimate either private or public - it's your choice. For step-by-step instruction on My Estimator, you can click on this link: http://www.zillow.com/howto/MyZestimator.htm

Sunchaser - The Zestimate that we provide is just a starting point in figuring out the true value of a home. The accuracy of a home value would still have to be based on an actual appraisal conducted for your home because there may be things that Zillow might not be aware of that can be taken into consideration. Also, the new information you provided will not affect your Zestimate value because that is the starting point for all sorts of calculations you (or anyone) can do on a home's value. The only thing that changes the Zestimate value is a change in the base data, including nearby sales.

Sunchaser - You may also check the threads under Zestimate for additional information -http://www.zillow.com/forum/site/ViewCategory.htm?tcid=12

dunmarsh - The Zestimate is just a starting point in figuring out the true value of a home. A variety of things, depending on where you are located can cause a change or difference in the Zestimate value -- most likely, new sales transactions that have been entered in our system or potentially updated tax assessments for each home.We do provide a tool where you can publish your own estimate. You can do this by cllicking the "Create an estimate" in the upper right of the home details page of this home. This is our way of letting individuals create estimates that take into account additions and upgrades that are not taken into account with the public records, such as a kitchen and bathroom remodel.For step-by-step instruction on My Estimator, you can click on this link: http://www.zillow.com/howto/MyZestimator.htm

KirklandMama - We do want our data updated every time a house has been sold or there has been changes in the neighborhood, however, we have to wait for the transaction to be recorded by the county and then wait again to be notified by 3rd party data providers that they have recorded the update (if we didn't wait for this process, the old record would override our correction, thus, resetting it).

jouvin5 - As mentioned by Kara Phadael, if your home is missing in our data base, you can create a property with your address but with blank information for you to fill-out by posting it for sale. However, if you don't want to post it for sale, you can also place a "Make me move price" or a "blue" flag on top of your home. Make Me Move is an easy way to tell others the price you'd be willing to sell your home for, without actually putting it on the market.

shaun76 - That's a great suggestion!Ü I hope this helps to generate more response to our threads.

clarese76 - You do not need to post a home for sale to know the Zestimate value of the property.Zestimate values are computed based on county transactional data (home facts, recent sales, etc.) and if we have enough information, then the Zestimate is provided for the home.However, there are also "non-disclosure" states (Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming) where transactions are not publicly reported. We do have access to the home details and the market/tax-assessed value, so we are showing you that information.I hope this helps you out.

Tampabaydoug - There is really no specific time frame on how often the Zestimate is updated. Normally, it is expected that there is an update every month that is why we have the 30-day change for the Zestimate.However, Zillow continually receives public sales data from 3rd party data providers, so the Zestimate is constantly changing as new sales are taken into account.