How Accurate is Zillow?

The zestimates are crap.

as accurate as any educated guess

It depends which bit you are talking about. The Zestimates do not work at all (too many many variations compared to the suburban sameness), but the rest of the site (past sales, recently closed, listings info) should be pretty accurate.

I don't know what you are looking for in particular on Zillow, but as a real estate broker, I have tried to find my listings on there by typing the exact address and nothing comes up. So while some info might be accurate, I can promise you that using it to find a home is not the best way to go (streeteasy is better for that).

@ SOCIALIST: Why do you say the zestimates are crap? They seem to have a very broad range when you consider the high and low of the Zestimate. Explain, compare, contrast.

@LUCILLELSSORRY: I see apts selling $100K to $900K over average zestimate, Why the HUGE difference between Zillow and list price?

@ MALY: How about Square Footage accuracy? If Zillow is correct, then there are 2 apts in my building that are for sale with Square Foot inflation: sales listing has them at 150 sq ft over Zillow info.

@MRUSSELL: I have the opposite problem, there are 2 zillow listings for my apt, with completely different Zestimates.

@LUCILLELSSORRY: I see apts selling $100K to $900K over average zestimate, Why the HUGE difference between Zillow and list price?

because it's a guess. was that a trick question?

How about Square Footage accuracy? If Zillow is correct, then there are 2 apts in my building that are for sale with Square Foot inflation: sales listing has them at 150 sq ft over Zillow info.

Where does Zillow get it's square feet?

Their numbers come from public data, either DOB or tax records compiled by the city. Broker square footage comes from essenceof rose petals trampled by magic unicorns: different sources, different answers.