For consumers knowledge is power. With advancements in technology and inter-connectivity everyone now has access to Real Estate information provided by public accessible websites such as Zillow. Consumers can search homes for sale, for rent, and conduct their own research on home values, market trends, etc… without contacting or communicating with a Realtor. While this may be convenient or useful for market curiosity, relying on it may set you up for failure and/or false expectations negatively impacting your experience or final outcome.
Without the knowledge and experience Real Estate Professionals provide many consumers will only have access to limited information and an unpredictable amount of that information may be unreliable or fraudulent. There is indeed valid information available to access on Zillow, however there are also many examples of how consumers are scammed, or misinformed of market conditions leading them to unrealistic expectations and negative experiences.
I have heard countless stories from my clients about their experiences with Zillow, and a brief internet search allows access to countless more. In a matter of minutes I identified many informative articles addressing the risk of scams and fraud. There are many more articles available and examples can be found across the country. Simply type in “fake listings” or “zillow scams” etc.. Additionally, algorithms designed to offer information such as value analysis and market trends may not provide a complete picture you can rely on because they may not take into account many local market factors that would affect that value analysis.
As consumers you owe it to yourself to be sure you are protecting your interest and are well informed before making any decisions. I highly advise working with a Realtor from the beginning to save you time and frustration. A Professional Realtor will work with you to create a strategic plan specific to your needs, advise you of market conditions, and help you through the entire process.
Links to Referenced Articles:
https://www.mpamag.com/news/scammer-puts-fake-house-listing-on-zillow-59651.aspx