If you are thinking about selling your home, chances are you have already checked your Zestimate. Some homeowners love it. Others stare at it like Zillow just insulted their kitchen.

So why is your Zestimate often off, and more importantly, how can you improve it?

Let’s break it down.

Why Your Zestimate Is So Inaccurate

Zillow pulls data from public sources such as:

The county tax assessor’s office
Recent sales pulled from tax records and the MLS

That sounds official, but here is the catch.

Zillow has never been inside your house.

It has no idea that you:

Added a bedroom or two
Remodeled your kitchen
Updated your bathrooms
Finished your basement
Have a beautifully level backyard
Rebuilt part of your home with higher-quality materials

Simply put, Zillow does not know the upgrades, the charm, or the work you have put into your home. But many buyers assume that if it is on the internet, it must be true, and they treat that number like gospel.

The good news is you can fix that.

Improve Your Details and Increase Your Zestimate

Initial Steps

Go to Zillow.com
Type in your property’s address
- It may say your property is off the market, but you can still view your Zestimate
Click on “Owner View”

Ownership Verification

Scroll down until you see the property information
Click the button that says “Review Facts”
Verify ownership by clicking “Yes, in fact, I am the owner”
Confirm that it is true

Congrats, Zillow now believes you exist.

Property Information Review

Update your home details by checking and unchecking the boxes
Complete all information and add specifications where needed
Save your changes and check your new Zestimate

That is it. No hard hat required.

Pro Tip

If your updated Zestimate is actually higher than your asking price, make sure your agent highlights that fact. Buyers love thinking they are getting a deal, even when they already are.

If you want help pricing your home beyond what an algorithm guesses from the sidewalk, that is where a real human comes in. Zillow is a tool. A local expert is the strategy.