How Accurate is Zillow's Pricing for Baton Rouge Home Sellers?

By Darren James

Darren James is a highly accomplished real estate professional and the founder of one of Baton Rouge’s premier real estate firms. With over 20 years of experience in selling and marketing real estate.

Do you think that Zillow’s Zestimate accurately prices your Baton Rouge home? The truth is, it can’t account for the unique features that make your home special. While it might seem convenient, it doesn’t know your home’s actual condition, and if you price your home based on AI estimates, you may end up selling your home for less than it’s actually worth.

Let’s dive into why relying on Zillow alone may not be the best move.

What Zillow is missing. Zillow’s Zestimate is based on an algorithm that uses general data from a zip code to provide a rough estimate of a home’s actual value. It can’t see whether you’ve replaced carpet with hardwood floors or upgraded countertops to granite or quartz. And it certainly doesn’t know if you’ve added a mother-in-law suite in the backyard.

But it doesn’t stop there. Zillow doesn’t consider other important things that can affect your home’s value, such as location. Its algorithm won’t account for these simple yet important details. In real estate, we call this “location obsolescence.”

How we do it. When a seller tells me that Zillow says their home is worth this amount, I always ask, “Has Zillow ever seen your home?”. The reality is, Zillow can’t replace the insight and expertise of a real estate professional who can physically walk through your property and assess its unique features.

As experts, we use three key reports to get an accurate value for your home:

1. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): This report compares your home to similar properties that have recently sold or are currently on the market. It helps you understand how your home measures up in today’s market.

2. Total Market Overview (TM): This gives a broader view of the market in your area, helping us see trends, inventory levels, and the current buyer demand in your neighborhood.

3. Absorption Rate Report: This shows the supply of homes on the market and how long it would take to sell the remaining inventory in your price range. It factors in whether more homes are coming on the market and gives us a sense of how competitive your listing might be.

Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, and it’s important to get it right. Trust the professionals who can physically visit your home, evaluate it properly, and provide you with a pricing strategy that takes all the factors into account. Zillow might give you a general number, but a real estate expert provides you with the details and context that an algorithm simply can’t.

If you’re thinking about selling your home and want an accurate price, don’t rely on Zillow alone. Whether you want to know what your home is really worth or need help navigating the market, I’m here to provide you with the best strategy for success.

Call me at (225) 335-7666 or email me at darren@agent225.com, and let’s find the right price for your Baton Rouge home.