Understanding how much your house is worth can help you make more informed decisions, whether you’re thinking about selling, refinancing, or simply keeping track of your home’s financial position over time. Home values are influenced by market conditions, recent sales in your area, buyer demand, and the unique features of your property. One of the most common starting points for estimating your home’s current market value is the Zestimate®, Zillow’s estimated value based on public and user-submitted data. It gives you a helpful snapshot of what your home might be worth today and can guide your next steps if you decide to move forward with selling or exploring your equity.
As home values shift with the market, reviewing your home’s estimated value regularly allows you to stay informed and plan with confidence.
Check Your Home’s Estimated Value
Enter your home’s address to see an estimated market value based on recent sales, local market trends, and the information available about your property. A home value estimate can help you understand how much your home might sell for in today’s market and can offer insight as you plan your next steps. Your estimate is updated regularly to reflect changing conditions, giving you a current snapshot of your property’s value.
Simply enter your address to get started. If you’ve made updates or improvements, you can claim your home and update the home details to help ensure your estimate reflects your property more accurately.
What Is a Zestimate?
A Zestimate® is Zillow’s estimated market value for a home — a useful starting point for understanding what your property might be worth in today’s market. It’s not an appraisal and it isn’t a substitute for a professional opinion, but it provides a quick snapshot grounded in data from public records and owner-provided details. The model evaluates how similar homes have sold nearby and weighs characteristics of your property to estimate value.
What goes into a Zestimate
- Public records & tax assessments: bed/bath count, square footage, lot size, year built, and recorded improvements.
- Sales history & nearby comps: recent sales activity for the subject home and comparable homes in the area.
- Location & market signals: neighborhood trends and local demand conditions.
- Owner-updated home facts: renovations, finished spaces, or feature changes you add after claiming your home.
Because markets move and new sales post regularly, Zestimates are updated on an ongoing basis to reflect the latest available information. If your home has unique features or recent renovations that may not appear in public data, claiming your home and updating its details can help improve how the estimate reflects your property. Use your Zestimate as an independent, data-driven starting point, then compare it with recently sold homes and, when needed, consult an agent for a deeper comparative analysis.
How Accurate Is the Zestimate?
The Zestimate is designed to be a helpful starting point that reflects current market trends and available data, but its accuracy can vary depending on the location of the home and the amount of local information that can be used in the valuation model. Areas where homes sell frequently and home data is updated often tend to have more accurate estimates than markets with limited or delayed reporting.
Zillow publishes median error rates to help homeowners understand how close a Zestimate may be to a home’s eventual sale price:
- For on-market homes, the median error rate is about 1.8%, meaning that half of all on-market Zestimates fall within 1.8% of the final sale price.
- For off-market homes, the median error rate is about 7%, since there may be fewer recent data points for comparison.
Because the model relies on public records and shared home details, a Zestimate may not immediately reflect features like a newly finished basement, upgraded kitchen, or updated flooring. You can help improve its accuracy by claiming your home and updating its facts — such as square footage, number of rooms, home condition, and recent improvements.
While the Zestimate is not an appraisal, it offers a convenient and independent estimate that adjusts regularly to reflect market changes, making it a strong starting point when evaluating your home’s potential value.
How to Find the Value of Your Home
Understanding your home’s value starts with a data-driven estimate and then layers in local market context and professional insight. Begin with an online estimate to get a quick read, compare it to recently sold homes nearby, and, if you’re preparing to sell or refinance, consider a CMA from a real estate agent or a professional appraisal for a more formal valuation. Each step helps you move from a useful starting point to a number that reflects your home’s features, location, and current buyer demand.
Start with Your Zestimate®
Enter your address to see a model-based estimate informed by public records, sales histories, and owner-updated details. Treat this as a helpful snapshot, not an appraisal. If you’ve remodeled, finished a basement, or updated major systems, claim your home and update its facts so the estimate can better reflect your property. Because markets shift, revisit your estimate periodically to stay aligned with current conditions.
Compare Recently Sold Homes (“Comps”) Nearby
Review similar homes that sold recently in your neighborhood to understand where buyers are actually transacting. Look for close matches on bed/bath count, square footage, lot size, age/condition, and location (same school zone or micro-area when possible). Note closing prices and days on market. If your home has upgrades or unique features, consider how those differences might move your value up or down relative to the comps.
Consult a Real Estate Agent for a CMA
A comparative market analysis (CMA) adds local expertise to the data. Agents evaluate recent sales, active and pending listings, and micro-market trends, then adjust for your home’s features and condition. Many agents provide CMAs at little or no cost, which can help you set strategy—pricing, timing, and light prep work—based on what buyers in your area are paying right now.
Get a Professional Appraisal
For a more formal, property-specific opinion, hire a licensed appraiser. An appraisal considers condition, quality, improvements, and comparable sales and results in a written report commonly used in lending and refinances. While an appraisal takes longer and involves a fee, it provides a detailed, independent assessment that can help you price confidently or support financing decisions.
What Affects Your Home’s Value?
Your home’s value reflects what buyers are willing to pay in today’s market. That number is shaped by local conditions, recent sales, and the specific features of your property. Estimators analyze public records, sales histories, and area trends, then weigh attributes of your home to estimate value. Here are the factors that commonly move the needle:
Local housing market conditions (buyer demand & inventory)
When more buyers compete for fewer homes (a seller’s market), prices tend to rise. If inventory increases or demand cools (a buyer’s market), values may soften. Neighborhood-level trends—list-to-sale price ratios, days on market, and seasonal patterns—also influence what a buyer will pay.
Location and neighborhood amenities
Proximity to schools, jobs, transit, parks, shopping, and healthcare can lift value. Micro-location details—quiet street vs. through street, curb appeal on the block, and access to daily conveniences—matter to buyers and often show up in comparable sales.
Comparable sales (“comps”)
Recent, nearby closed sales of similar homes anchor pricing. The closer the match on beds/baths, square footage, lot size, age, style, and condition, the more directly those comps inform your value. Unique homes or areas with few recent sales can show wider estimate ranges.
Home size, layout, and usable space
Finished square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and functional layouts impact how buyers compare your home to others. Additions that create livable space (finished basements, attic conversions) can influence perceived value when clearly documented.
Age, condition, and quality of updates
Well-maintained systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and recent renovations to kitchens, baths, or flooring can increase buyer willingness to pay. If improvements aren’t reflected in public data, claim your home and update its details so the estimate can better account for them.
Lot characteristics and outdoor living
Lot size, privacy, usable yard, garage capacity, patios/decks, and overall curb appeal contribute to demand. Corner lots, views, and landscaping may affect how your home compares with similar properties.
Energy efficiency & features
Window upgrades, insulation, solar, smart thermostats, and high-efficiency appliances can make a home more attractive to buyers weighing monthly costs and comfort, which can be reflected in market activity.
Timing and seasonality
In many areas, spring and early summer bring higher activity and faster sales, while late fall/winter can be slower. Market timing can influence both the estimate range and the price you ultimately achieve.
Data availability
Where sales are frequent and records update quickly, estimates tend to be more precise. Areas with fewer transactions or limited public data may see wider ranges. Keeping your home facts current helps improve how models reflect your property.
Use these factors together with your Zestimate® and a review of recent local comps to understand where your home is likely to price in the current market. If you’ve completed meaningful improvements or your home has unique features, update your home details to help the estimate better align with buyer expectations.
How to Increase Your Home Value
Improving your home’s value generally comes down to making your property more appealing to buyers and ensuring that the information about your home is accurate and up to date. Some improvements can influence what buyers are willing to pay, while others simply help your home present better in comparison to similar homes in your area. Many of these changes are about condition, functionality, and curb appeal rather than large-scale renovations.
Update and refresh key living spaces
Kitchens and bathrooms often have a meaningful impact on how buyers perceive the overall home. Updating countertops, fixtures, lighting, cabinets, or flooring can help modernize these rooms without requiring major reconstruction. Even small, thoughtful improvements can help increase buyer interest and market appeal.
Improve exterior presentation and curb appeal
Exterior updates can shape the first impression. Landscaping, fresh paint, updated exterior doors, pressure washing, and general maintenance can make your home appear well cared for. If needed, repairs to roofing, siding, or walkways can help strengthen perceived condition and value.
Enhance functionality and usable space
Finished basements, attic conversions, or additional living areas may help a home feel larger and more adaptable, especially when finished to a similar standard as the rest of the home. Improving floor plan efficiency, storage, or lighting can also affect desirability.
Make energy-efficient upgrades
Installing updated windows, insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, or smart thermostats may help reduce utility costs, which some buyers consider when evaluating long-term affordability and comfort.
Document and update your home facts
If you’ve made improvements, repairs, or changes to your home, it’s helpful to claim your home online and update your home facts so your estimated value can better reflect those updates. This includes adjustments to square footage, additional finished spaces, upgrades, or changes to the property condition.
While not every upgrade guarantees an increase in value, thoughtful improvements that align with current buyer expectations and local market preferences can help your home compare more favorably with similar properties. Reviewing recent sales in your neighborhood and consulting with a local agent can help you understand which updates are most likely to influence value in your specific market.
Why use a home value estimator tool?
A home value estimator provides a quick, data-based starting point for understanding what your home may be worth in today’s market. It helps you get an initial sense of your equity if you’re considering selling, refinancing, or buying another home, and it allows you to compare your home’s value with others in your neighborhood. While it is not a substitute for an appraisal, it’s a fast and convenient way to get an estimate based on available public and market data.
What is a Zestimate® based on?
A Zestimate uses a proprietary valuation model that incorporates public records, tax assessments, market trends, and details about your home such as bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, age, and location, along with recent sales of comparable homes in your area. You can improve how accurately the estimate reflects your property by claiming your home and updating your home facts if features or conditions have changed.
How do I improve the accuracy of my home’s estimate?
Claim your home and update any missing or outdated property details—such as square footage, number of finished rooms, renovations, or recent upgrades. Because online estimators rely on available data, ensuring that your home information is complete and current helps the estimate better reflect your property. Local sales activity and market conditions also affect estimate accuracy over time.
How often do home values change?
Home values change as market conditions shift, often influenced by buyer demand, available inventory, local economic trends, and seasonal patterns. In balanced markets, values may rise gradually over time, while markets with increased competition can see faster changes. Reviewing your home’s estimate periodically helps you stay informed as the market evolves.
Does making home improvements increase home value?
It depends on the type of improvement and what buyers in your area value. Updates that improve functionality, condition, and curb appeal—such as refreshed kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, roofing, or landscaping—can positively influence buyer perception and may impact your home’s market value. Finished or updated living spaces and energy-efficient upgrades may also help increase appeal. Remember to update your home facts after improvements.
How can I view recently sold homes in my neighborhood?
You can search for recently sold listings in your area to see how similar homes have performed on the market. Look for properties with similar square footage, layout, location, and condition to understand how your home compares. These sales, often called “comps”, are one of the strongest indicators of buyer demand and pricing in your neighborhood.
Is the Zestimate an appraisal?
No. A Zestimate is a model-based home value estimate designed to serve as a starting point. A licensed appraiser conducts an appraisal, completing an in-person assessment of your home’s features, upgrades, and condition. If you are finalizing pricing for a sale, applying for financing, or refinancing, an appraisal may be required to verify value.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your home’s value starts with a clear picture of your property and the market around it. A Zestimate® offers a fast, data-driven starting point that reflects public records, user-submitted details, recent sales, and local trends. Because home values shift over time based on buyer demand, neighborhood activity, and property condition, it can be helpful to revisit your estimate regularly and update your home facts when changes are made.
Using your home value estimate together with recent local comparable sales, a comparative market analysis, or a professional appraisal can give you a fuller view as you plan your next steps. Whether you’re thinking about selling, refinancing, or simply keeping track of your investment, having an informed estimate allows you to make decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
