What Is a Zestimate in Real Estate?

💡 How Zillow’s Zestimate Works

Zillow uses a proprietary formula that factors in:

• Public data such as tax assessments and property records
• Recent sales in the surrounding neighborhood
• Home features like square footage, bedrooms, and lot size
• Local market trends and price-per-square-foot averages

The Zestimate updates automatically as new data becomes available. However, it doesn’t account for home condition, upgrades, or unique features — so real values often differ significantly.

😟 Why FSBO Sellers Get Frustrated

Many sellers listing through Brokerless notice that their Zestimate is lower than their asking price — even when their MLS listing is accurate. This happens because:

• The algorithm doesn’t see recent renovations or upgrades
• Public tax data may be outdated or incomplete
• Old FSBO posts or inactive listings can confuse Zillow’s system
• Zillow updates its valuation slower than the active market in some areas

As a result, the Zestimate may undervalue your home until the system recalibrates with verified MLS data.

⚙️ Can You Turn Off the Zestimate?

Unfortunately, Zillow does not allow homeowners or agents to completely disable the Zestimate. However, there are several ways to improve its accuracy or minimize its impact:

• Claim your home: Log into Zillow, search for your address, and click “Claim your home.” Once verified, you can update property details, which helps refresh the Zestimate.
• Update facts and photos: Add correct square footage, features, and quality photos. Zillow’s system re-evaluates values based on updated data.
• Ensure your MLS listing is syndicated: When listed through Brokerless, verified MLS data usually overrides outdated FSBO or tax information on Zillow within 24–48 hours.
• Request a Zestimate review: If the estimate is far off, use the “Report a problem with Zestimate” link on your property’s Zillow page to submit corrections.
• Remove old FSBO entries: If you posted the home manually before your MLS listing, delete that old FSBO post to prevent duplicate records.

🧭 Using the AVM Field in the MLS

Some MLS systems include an AVM (Automated Valuation Model) field that can help limit the display of automated estimates like Zillow’s Zestimate.

When this field is available, your listing broker can set the AVM option to “No”. This signals third-party sites that automated valuations should not be shown for that listing. It’s the only official method recognized by data feeds to discourage portals from publishing estimated values.

Important: Not all MLS systems support the AVM opt-out field, and Zillow does not always honor the request. Still, it’s a valuable step to take whenever the option exists — especially for higher-end or recently renovated properties where automated models tend to undervalue.

📍 Brokerless Guidance

At Brokerless, we understand that Zestimates can cause confusion and frustration. The good news is that buyers and appraisers don’t rely on Zillow for actual valuations — they use MLS data, comps, and certified appraisals.

If your Zestimate appears inaccurate, stay calm and focus on verified MLS exposure. Brokerless ensures your property is properly syndicated, allowing accurate market data to update Zillow automatically. When possible, our team will also check the MLS feed for AVM control settings.

List With Confidence, Not Algorithms

List your home on the MLS through Brokerless and control your listing data directly. Reach serious buyers on Realtor.com, Zillow, and hundreds of local agent websites — without the guesswork of automated valuations.