As I was looking through the just solds in the Tucson MLS I recalled a recent conversation about the pros and cons of using Zillow to get that same information, homes that have just sold.
In that conversation I was of course the (zillow) skeptic.
But since I had the MLS list of some homes that had just sold in the Tucson Foothills sitting in front me, it seemed like a good time to stop by Zillow and see what they had to say about these homes.
Turns out it's a hit or miss proposition.
The first home I looked at was 7500 Camino Sin Vacas which sold on 7/18 for $825,000. The sale does not show up on Zillow, on the contrary the house is still listed for sale, and with a zestimate of $846,000, and that's awfully close, except that the house just sold for $825,000. So shouldn't they have that info and adjust the zestimate accordingly, or maybe they just stick to the zestimate no matter what.
Next I looked up 5927 Paseo Ventoso. That sold on 7/11 for $850K.
Zillow doesn't show that sale either, but they almost hit the bulls eye with their $868K zestimate for this house, and hopefully that'll make the new owners feel good. The last sale according to Zillow was in July of 2000.
6741 N Placita Apajo sold on 7/11 for $1,419,000, but guess what, it doesn't show up on Zillow as sold either. So if you were interested in this house, you're too late, and they zestimate it at just $1,220,000.
Day late, dollar short comes to mind.
Here's a good one. 5991 E Terra Grande. This sold on 7/14 for $1,475,000. Nope, Zillow doesn't show that sale, and according to them the last sale occurred in 1994. And if they're Zillow fans the new owners can't be too happy because Zillow pegs it's value at $1,216,000.
Last one, I promise. 4265 Camino Arco. Just Sold on 7/22 for $830,000. According to Zillow it's only worth $633,000, with a
value Range of $550,710 - $689,970, still pretty far off.
Chalk up another unhappy new owner. Last sale according to Zillow was in 2004.
Zillow covers a lot of turf, it's fun and has lots of neat bells and whistles, but in the end I remain a Zillow skeptic, and I think you should too.
My only gripe with Zillow was, but no longer is, the lack of a disclaimer clearly explaining the limitations of the zestimates.
That has long since been addressed by Zillow in great detail.
So enjoy, but carefully.
see my web site thefoothillsToday.com
to search for and learn more about Tucson Foothills Homes
