21 Jun Have You Checked What Your Home Is Actually Worth Lately?
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year.
And every year around this time, I find myself having the same conversation with homeowners.
They’ll ask me what their home is worth, and when I tell them, the response is usually one of two things.
Either they’re surprised it’s worth more than they thought.
Or they’re surprised it’s not worth what Zillow told them.
Honestly, that’s one of the reasons I think it’s a good idea to check in on your home’s value at least once a year.
Not because you’re planning to sell tomorrow.
Not because you need to make a move.
Just because a lot can change in six months.
Home Values Don’t Move in a Straight Line
I think people sometimes assume home values move in a straight line.
They don’t.
Some neighborhoods appreciate faster than others. Some price ranges stay more active than others. Buyer demand shifts. Inventory changes.
And sometimes what’s happening nationally looks very different from what’s happening right here in Glendale, Peoria, or the Northwest Valley.
I’ve seen situations where two homeowners live only a few miles apart, but their homes have performed very differently based on the neighborhood, the type of property, and what buyers are looking for at that particular moment.
That’s why broad national headlines don’t always tell the whole story.
The question isn’t really what’s happening in the national housing market.
The question is what’s happening in your neighborhood.
Zillow Can Be Helpful, But It Doesn’t Know Everything
One thing I always tell homeowners is to be careful about relying entirely on online estimates.
Zillow can be a useful starting point.
But it doesn’t walk through your home.
It doesn’t know if you’ve remodeled your kitchen.
It doesn’t know if you’ve added a pool.
It doesn’t know if you’ve replaced flooring, renovated bathrooms, or made improvements that buyers are willing to pay more for.
It also doesn’t always understand what’s happening at the neighborhood level.
In places like Arrowhead Ranch, Vistancia, Fletcher Heights, and other Northwest Valley communities, buyer demand can vary significantly depending on the area, inventory levels, and what homes are currently available.
That’s why online estimates can sometimes be surprisingly accurate and other times be off by a pretty significant amount.
One Thing That Surprises A Lot of Homeowners
Over the years, I’ve found that many homeowners have no idea how much equity they’ve built.
That doesn’t mean they’re thinking about selling.
Most aren’t.
But it’s still helpful information to have.
Maybe you’re considering making updates to your home.
Maybe you’re wondering whether moving in the next couple of years makes sense.
Maybe you’re simply curious.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know where you stand.
In fact, I think that’s especially important right now because different neighborhoods are behaving differently than they were a few years ago.
Some homes are selling quickly.
Others are taking longer.
Some areas are seeing stronger demand than others.
The only way to really understand your home’s position is to look at what’s happening around it.
So What Is Your Home Actually Worth?
The answer may be higher than you think.
It may be lower than an online estimate suggests.
Either way, having accurate information is helpful.
You don’t need to be planning a move to understand what your home might realistically be worth today.
And if you own a home in Glendale, Peoria, Arrowhead Ranch, Vistancia, Fletcher Heights, or anywhere in the Northwest Valley, this is a great time for a quick check-in.
If you’re curious about your home’s value or simply want an honest opinion about what’s happening in your neighborhood, feel free to reach out.
I’m always happy to share what I’m seeing.
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