Real Estate Analysis and Commentary in Victorville

A professional appraiser gives a legally defensible, onsite valuation tailored to a specific property and transaction needs. Zillow and other Automated Valuation Models (AVM) is a fast algorithmic estimation that is useful for a ballpark check but often misses local nuances, upgrades, and property specific characteristics. This type of valuation may be used only for quick market signals. The accuracy is variable with average error rates that can be significant in some markets. This type of estimate is not accepted as a formal appraisal by the courts or IRS.

Appraisers account for local market quirks (micro neighborhoods, lot orientation, view, etc.). Zillow relies on available statistical data and may lag on recent sales, economic conditions, or permit updates.

Choose a professional appraiser when you need a valuation for a mortgage, refinance, estate, divorce or tax appeal when accuracy matters.

Risks associated with the two models:

• Relying solely on Zillow or AVMs can misprice a home or property by thousands of dollars.
• The quality of an appraisal varies by the appraiser’s experience. Use of a property data collector currently being used by FNMA or Freddie Mac introduces an element of risk. While FNMA emphasizes that they are trained; they are not professional appraisals, and their inspection does not include the experience of a professional appraiser who is looking for more than the size and amenities of the home. Views, orientation, conformity to the market and other items that are sometimes difficult to quantify will be considered by an experienced professional appraiser.