Why You Can't Trust Computer-Generated Home Valuations

Bend, OR Real Estate Podcast with Christine Browning

Many people turn to websites to try and find out what their home is worth but fail to realize how inaccurate these computer estimates can be.

Are online home values accurate and trustworthy? I get this question quite often.
The truth is that when you consult a website for a valuation of a property, the value it kicks back isn't accurate. This is because you're asking a computer to generate a value for your home based on multiple sources of data. However, that data may or may not be anywhere near your actual property.
This could be data from the county, including your home's square footage, lot size, and bedroom/bathroom count. A computer certainly doesn't know whether your house has been remodeled or updated at all. On the other hand, a computer also won't know if your home is the only one in the area that hasn't been updated and sold for a premium.

There are too many details about homes that a computer can't possibly know.

A computer also can't account for things like your property backing up to public land, being on the busy street, being on a golf course, or opening up to a park or preserve. There are simply too many details about homes that a computer can't possibly know or understand.
If you've thought about selling your house and you'd like to know what the actual market value is, I'd love to come out and give you a personalized market evaluation of your home. In the end, your home is worth what an able buyer is willing to pay for it, not what a computer says.
If you'd like to know what your house is worth or you have any other questions about the Bend real estate market, you can always give me a call or send me an email. I'd be honored to help you!