The Truth About Zillow When Selling Your NJ Home

Can You Trust Zillow to Help You Sell for the Right Price?

Many New Jersey homeowners start the selling process by checking Zillow. It's a popular first step, but if you're planning to rely on Zillow to guide your entire home sale, you could be making a costly mistake.

The Zestimate might feel like a quick way to find your home’s value, but it’s not always accurate. In fact, Zillow’s own website explains that their estimates can be off by thousands of dollars in many cases. That’s because the platform uses general data and algorithms, not a personal evaluation of your home’s upgrades, condition, or local market demand.

The Problem with the Zestimate

The Zestimate is based on public records and recent nearby sales. But it doesn’t account for important things like:

• Recent upgrades or renovations
• Interior condition and layout
• Neighborhood desirability and school district
• Unique features that increase value

For example, if a fixer-upper recently sold down the block, your Zestimate could drop even if your home is in excellent condition. That’s not a fair way to value your largest investment.

What Zillow Won’t Tell You When You Click “Tour This Home”

Here’s something most sellers don’t know: when a buyer clicks “Tour This Home” on your Zillow listing, they’re not contacting your listing agent. They’re being routed to another agent who pays Zillow for leads in that zip code.

This means the buyer may not get accurate info about your home, and you lose a chance to make the right impression. Working with a local agent who controls the marketing of your home ensures buyers get the details directly—and that helps you sell faster and more confidently.

Zillow is a Tool, Not a Strategy

Zillow can help get your listing seen, but it’s just one part of the equation. To actually sell your home for top dollar, you need:

• Professional photography and video marketing
• Targeted social media promotion
• Pricing based on local data, not just public records
• Expert negotiations and local market knowledge

A good agent uses Zillow to enhance your visibility, not as the only method to sell your home.

The Smart Way to Sell Your NJ Home

If you're planning to sell, don’t let a website determine your asking price or who sees your listing. Get a local market analysis and a clear plan that reflects your home's true value and puts you in control of the process.

When you're ready, I’ll help you price your home right, promote it to the right buyers, and avoid the costly mistakes that happen when people rely too much on Zillow.