What Zillow Gets Wrong About Your Home’s Value

By Bryan David

Bryan David is one of the best REALTORS® serving Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport and the entire coast. He is a Biloxi native, military veteran and retiree, and a multi-year top-producing agent with hundreds of satisfied clients.

Online home estimates have become part of almost every real estate conversation. Zillow, in particular, plays a major role in shaping how buyers think about value before they ever step inside a home. While these tools feel authoritative, they often work against sellers who do not understand how they influence buyer behavior.

I recently had a seller ask if we could remove his home’s price history from Zillow. He was frustrated that every past listing attempt and price change was visible to buyers. What most homeowners do not realize is that multiple lawsuits have already challenged this, and the courts have ruled that Zillow may publish estimates and historical data. That means sellers cannot simply delete it. The good news is that you are not powerless.

Before you list, it helps to understand what you are actually up against and how experienced agents handle it.

One of the biggest challenges is the estimate itself. Zillow calculates value based on public data, such as square footage, age, number of bedrooms, and recent sales. What it cannot see are the upgrades that often justify a higher price. New roofs, renovated kitchens, updated HVAC systems, and other improvements are not factored into the estimate. That creates a gap between what Zillow shows and the home’s true value.

Zillow has also introduced offer insights, which guide buyers toward offers the platform labels as strong, moderate, or weak. These suggestions encourage buyers to anchor their expectations to Zillow’s data, even when it does not accurately reflect the home’s condition. Sellers need to be aware that many buyers walk in already influenced by these recommendations.

There is a limited technical option available to homeowners. By claiming your home on Zillow, you can correct factual errors such as square footage, room counts, or basic features. This can sometimes trigger a recalculation, but it does not account for upgrades or improvements. That is where strategy matters.

The most effective approach is to shift the narrative. Pricing explanations should be addressed immediately and clearly. A well-written listing description can explain why a home is priced above an online estimate, whether because of major upgrades or improvements Zillow cannot see. Agent remarks should reinforce this so buyer agents can properly educate their clients before an offer is written.

Zillow is not going away, and ignoring it rarely helps. Strong agents address it head-on, explain the gaps, and guide buyers and sellers through the reality behind the numbers.

If you are thinking of selling and the Zestimate concerns you, I would be happy to walk through your situation. I will show you how to counter inaccurate assumptions and position your home to maximize its value. You can reach me at 228-215-1861, email bhgre@expectrealty.com, or visit expectrealty.com. The right strategy turns online estimates into just one piece of the conversation, not the final word.