If youâve ever typed your address into Zillow and gotten a âZestimate,â youâve likely felt a mix of emotions: excitement, confusion, maybe even a little disbelief. You may be asking yourself, âIs this really what my home is worth?!. Sometimes the number seems spot on. Other times, itâs way off. And if youâre in Montana? The odds of that number being accurate are even lower.
Hereâs why those online estimates often miss the mark â and what to do instead if you want to know your homeâs true value.
â Montana is a Non-Disclosure State..Here is Why That Matters
Zillow doesnât have access to actual sale prices in Montana.
Because Montana is a non-disclosure state, real estate sales are not public record. This means that websites like Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com canât see what homes actually sell for â theyâre working with limited, incomplete data.
What youâre seeing in a Zestimate is an algorithmâs best guess based on broad trends, old data, national averages, and nearby listings. Itâs not an evaluation of your specific property, and definitely not a substitute for a professional analysis from someone with access to MLS-verified sales.
đ What Online Estimates Miss
Real estate algorithms donât know:
⢠If your roof is brand new
⢠If your kitchen was updated last year
⢠How your layout compares to similar homes
⢠What kind of views or privacy your lot offers
⢠The condition of nearby homes or the overall feel of the block
Zillow doesnât walk through your home. It doesnât account for the details that matter most to real buyers. Thatâs why we always recommend a local, personalized Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) when youâre considering selling, or even just curious about your homeâs standing in todayâs market.
đ What a Local CMA Can Tell You
A CMA from a licensed real estate professional includes:
⢠Recent sold prices from MLS data (only accessible to REALTORSŽ)
⢠Active and pending listings (your current competition)
⢠Adjustments based on condition, improvements, and layout
⢠Insight into buyer behavior and whatâs trending locally
At The Real Estate Hub, we provide CMAs to help you understand your true home value, not just what an algorithm says it might be.
đ§ Why It Matters (Even If Youâre Not Selling Yet)
Even if youâre not ready to sell, knowing your homeâs real market value can help with:
⢠Budgeting for renovations
⢠Refinancing or exploring home equity options
⢠Estate planning or big life transitions
⢠Timing your future sale wisely
Your home is likely one of your biggest assets. Donât rely on a guess. Rely on the data and the experience of professionals who know your neighborhood inside and out.
đŹ Want to know what your home is actually worth?
Send us a message to get your personalized CMA and determine if the time is right for you to sell