Why Online Estimates Can Cost You Money

If you're planning to sell your home, stop trusting online home value estimates.

I see homeowners all the time who think they know what their property is worth because a website told them so. Then they find out buyers are looking at completely different sales, different neighborhoods, and different market conditions.

Hi, I'm Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in the East Bay for the last 10 years.

Here's the thing: a home's value isn't based on an algorithm, because algorithms look backward. It's based on buyer behavior, competition, upgrades, condition, lot size, location, and what's happening right now in your local market. An algorithm can't walk through your home. It can't see that your kitchen was updated last year or that your view is different from three houses down.

Being off by even a small percentage costs you real money. If your home should list at $900,000 but you price it at $950,000 because an online estimate told you so, you're looking at fewer showings, less interest, and your home sitting on the market for months while you're bleeding carrying costs.

The East Bay market still leans toward a seller's market right now, but it's a softer seller's market. Pricing strategy is everything. You need someone who knows your neighborhood, knows the current market trends, and knows what's actually selling, someone who can put a number on your home that gets you top dollar while actually making sure it sells.

I'm Tanja Odzak, and I've sold over $100 million worth of homes with a decade of experience in the East Bay. Before you make any decisions, get a real market analysis from someone who's actually been inside homes in your area and knows the data. Let's put one together for you.