The Truth About Online Home Values (And Why The Algorithm Might Be Wrong)

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve checked your home’s value online at some point. Maybe through Zillow, Redfin, or recently Homebot.

I actually enrolled my past clients and sphere in Homebot because I think it can be a very helpful tool and more accurate than Zillow. It’s nice to casually keep an eye on your home’s equity and explore “what if” scenarios and what you could afford if you moved, invested, or bought a second property.

But here’s the truth: online home values are a starting point, not the full picture.

Homebot (and similar platforms) pull from public records and recent sales data. What they don’t see is your actual home. They don’t know about your renovated kitchen, your original HVAC, the roof you replaced three years ago and how it truly compares.

So sometimes the value is pretty close. And sometimes… it’s not even in the ballpark.

If you’ve ever looked at an online estimate and thought, “That feels high,” or “There’s no way my house is worth that,” you’re probably right to question it.

This is where having a knowledgeable real estate professional in your corner helps.

When I run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), I’m not just plugging in an address. I’m looking at your specific home, your neighborhood, the current market, and what’s actually selling. I factor in condition, upgrades, layout, location nuances, and buyer behavior. All the things that truly affect value and can’t be captured by software.

The best part? A quick CMA doesn’t take long, and it gives you a much more realistic idea of where you stand.

Now, if you’re seriously thinking about selling, that’s a deeper conversation. We’d talk through pricing strategy, timing, what’s worth fixing versus leaving alone, and how to position your home to get the best possible outcome.

But even if you’re just curious — maybe planning for the future or keeping an eye on your equity — having a real, accurate number is incredibly helpful.

I’ve even helped clients with small, strategic updates like paint colors and simple improvements that can make a home feel more modern without a full remodel.

So yes, tools like Homebot are great. I use them too and also like to see what my home value is doing according to those sites.

They don’t walk through homes. They don’t understand neighborhood, views, and what makes your home stand out . And they definitely don’t know your story.

If you ever want the real data behind your home’s value, I’m always happy to help.

Because algorithms are helpful… but real estate is still very human.

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