What is an automated home estimate? It is a computer-generated estimate based on available property and market data. It is a starting point, not a guaranteed sale price or a property-specific professional opinion.
This is educational information, not an appraisal or a recommendation about a particular property's value.
What an automated estimate can see
Online estimates are useful for a quick baseline. They typically use public records, basic property characteristics and nearby sales to calculate a number. That can help you begin thinking about value, but it is not the same as evaluating how your home would compete if it were listed today.
What the algorithm cannot fully see
Condition, renovations, deferred maintenance, layout, natural light, views, noise, exact block placement and buyer reaction can all affect value. An automated model may also rely on records that are incomplete or outdated, or on nearby sales that look comparable on paper but are meaningfully different in person.
What is a comparable sale?
A comparable sale is a property sale used as a reference for value. Nearby properties are not necessarily equivalent; homes can differ in condition, features and location.
What a personalized valuation adds
A personalized valuation offers a property-specific opinion of market value. It is different from an automated estimate and is not a guaranteed sale price. A real estate agent's market opinion is also distinct from a formal appraisal.
Do I have to be ready to list?
No. You can ask about a personalized valuation without committing to sell. Westin discusses recommendations for your particular property privately.