Have you ever been talking to your Realtor and you mention something you saw on Zillow and you sensed them cringing inside and out? If so, you're correct, Zillow is a third party website developed in 2006 as a real estate resource for buyers and sellers. To the average buyer or seller, it seems like a great resource but to the real estate industry, it is much like WebMD for doctors. So why do we dislike Zillow so much? It's simple, inaccuracy. Each state has the ability to label their state as a non-disclosure state, which means the sales price information of a home is not disclosed to the general public. Although Missouri is a disclosure state individual boards have chosen not the disclose sales information. So what does this mean and why does it matter. To break it down Zillow gathers their information from multiple sources some of which would never be considered by a Realtor in the price of your home, one source, in particular, would be county tax records. If you have ever looked at the value of your home based on county records you know for certain that is not a source you would want to be used when considering your sales price.
Secondly, have you ever seen homes listed for sale on Zillow then you call your agent and they say that home closed months ago? Again since we do not disclose sales information Zillow often has homes that are no longer on the market listed for sale. This can be a major disappointment to buyers when they feel like they found the perfect home. Have you ever seen the word "pre-foreclosure" on a Zillow listing? Or been shocked when you saw your home listed as "pre-foreclosure" ever wonder what the heck that's about? This one may shock you if the bank reports to the credit bureau that you were one day late on your payment Zillow can list your home as "pre-foreclosure" are you shocked yet? The fact of the matter is Zillow has tried to step into the place of the largest trade industry in the United States and is only making things worse. The simple solution is to call your Realtor, most Realtors have an app or a website that can give you access to the MLS. Want access to our's, its simple download our app by texting SWMR To 417-815-3030 or visit us at www.swmrealty.com.
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