Zillow's home value estimator analyzes millions of data points to produce a Zestimate for roughly 116 million homes. It pulls county tax records, MLS feeds, recent sales, public records and owner-supplied details to form each estimate. When owner facts are missing or outdated, estimate error tends to grow; updating public records and adding photos or floor plans can narrow that gap.
Key takeaways
- Zillow combines county tax records, MLS feeds, owner-submitted facts and a trained model to produce a Zestimate with an uncertainty range. Treat that range as guidance, not a contract price.
- The estimator often misses interior remodels, structural problems, custom floorplans and private off-market sales. Portal values from Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com are directional; use a CMA or appraisal for final pricing.
- Colorado Springs shows stronger on-market accuracy than the national average, with an on-market median error near 1.20%. Off-market estimates remain more variable and can be far less reliable.
- You can improve online estimates quickly by claiming your property, correcting public fields and uploading current photos, floor plans and renovation notes. Small factual corrections frequently shift the Zestimate closer to local sale prices.
- Track weekly Zestimate movement alongside inventory and median list-price changes, then call Behr & Behr Team for a free CMA, staging recommendations and a 4K tour to set a market-ready price.
How Zillow's estimator calculates value
The model uses machine learning to find relationships among hundreds of inputs and gives more weight to recent, similar sales and active listings. Zillow publishes uncertainty ranges to show confidence and to discourage treating the estimate as a final price. Human inspection and local agent input remain important when setting a listing price or negotiating an offer. For a technical explanation of the inputs and approach, see Zillow's guide on how the Zestimate is calculated.
The estimator cannot reliably detect many physical or private changes from public data alone. Typical blind spots include:
- Recent kitchen, bath or basement remodels that increase value
- Foundation, roof or other structural problems
- Custom floorplans, luxury finishes or unusual lot shapes
- Off-market sales, estate transfers or private transactions
Owners reduce estimate error by updating square footage, uploading high-quality interior and exterior photos, adding floor plans and attaching permit or appraisal documents to the Owner Dashboard. Those inputs give the model better comparables and lower uncertainty.
What Zestimate accuracy looks like in Colorado Springs
Nationally, Zillow reports a median error near 2.4% for actively listed homes and about 7.49% for off-market properties. Colorado Springs performs better on listed homes, with an on-market median error around 1.20%. On a $400,000 home a 1.20% error equals roughly $4,800, while the national on-market median error would be nearer $9,600 and off-market error can approach $30,000.
Zestimates become more accurate when a property is active in the MLS because recent comps, updated photos and agent-supplied details feed the model. Using a Zillow number for an off-market property carries greater risk because public records may lag and user-supplied data can be incomplete. Verify listing status before treating a portal figure as a final target; on-market estimates are a more reliable starting point.
Accuracy also varies across Colorado Springs micro-markets. New-construction pockets, mountain-view premiums and small subdivisions with few recent sales tend to show wider variance in automated estimates. Homeowners should follow neighborhood-level trends rather than assuming the citywide median applies to every street.
How to claim and update your Zillow listing
To claim your property, sign in to Zillow, enter your address and select "Claim ownership" on the property page. Complete verification by phone, email or mailed code, then open My Zillow and the Owner Dashboard to edit facts. Claiming links owner-supplied information to the Zestimate and can change the estimate within hours of a verified update. Zillow provides step-by-step guidance on how and why to claim your homes on Zillow.
Prioritize edits that influence the model most: precise square footage, correct bedroom and bathroom counts, finished basement and garage details, lot size and year built, plus multiple high-quality interior and exterior photos. Zillow's matching algorithm places extra weight on square footage and exterior shots because those inputs anchor comparable matching and price-per-square-foot calculations. You can also upload appraisals, inspection reports and a short renovation summary; MLS updates from listing agents typically override owner edits and sync quickly.
Seven steps to improve your Zillow estimate
Follow a focused workflow to reduce estimate error before you list: claim and correct facts, document upgrades, add clear photos and refresh listings as comps change. The steps below are practical actions you can start tonight and refine as market activity evolves.
- Claim and correct facts: Verify ownership and update address, square footage, bed/bath counts and other key fields so public records match the property. Accurate facts help the model match more appropriate comparables.
- Upload 8–12 current photos: Include curb appeal, the kitchen, primary living spaces and clear exterior shots with good lighting. Strong images improve perceived condition and help the model calibrate value.
- Document upgrades: Add renovation summaries, permit information, floor plans and any appraisal or inspection PDFs to the Owner Dashboard. Clear documentation reduces uncertainty and explains value-added work.
- Prioritize high-return fixes: Focus on curb appeal, fresh paint, minor kitchen refreshes and simple staging to improve showability. Small improvements often yield measurable gains in market response.
- Run a local CMA: Request a comparative market analysis from a local agent before listing to set a realistic asking price based on recent neighborhood sales. For a formal valuation resource, see ourHome Valuation Colorado Springs – Discover Your Property's Worth.
- Order an appraisal when needed: Use a licensed appraisal for refinancing, estate matters or a sale that requires a certified value within 90 days. Appraisals provide a documented value lenders and some buyers accept.
- Monitor and adjust: Track weekly Zestimate movement and local metrics, refresh photos seasonally and update facts when comps change. If the portal estimate diverges from neighborhood comps, contact a local agent such as Behr & Behr Team for a free neighborhood CMA and staging plan.
Apply these steps to create a practical listing workflow you can start tonight; regular updates keep the model aligned with real market conditions. That ongoing attention often produces more accurate estimates and a smoother sale process.
How Zillow compares to Redfin, Realtor.com, AVMs and appraisals
Portal sites draw from many of the same public records but differ in how they weight and refresh inputs, which produces different estimates. Redfin often performs well where it processes sales data quickly, while Realtor.com benefits from strong MLS synchronization and broker feeds. Comparing Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com helps you spot outliers rather than relying on a single number. For a recent look at how major portals differ in practice, see this comparison of portal home-value estimates.
Lender AVMs and professional appraisals add context portals cannot see: loan history, inspection findings, verified interior condition and physical issues found on site. Licensed appraisers inspect the home, document comparables within local context and produce a certified value that lenders accept. When portal estimates differ by more than 5 to 7 percent, consider a professional valuation to avoid surprises during contract or closing.
Make a quick cross-check part of your routine: open the three portals, note their estimates, list recent active and sold comps and flag any sharp gaps in square footage or outdated photos. If numbers diverge, request a free neighborhood CMA from Behr & Behr Team for local clarity and a documented pricing recommendation.
When to use Zillow to track Colorado Springs trends and when to call Behr & Behr Team
A simple monthly routine will surface market shifts sooner than county records do. Save your property on Zillow, watch weekly Zestimate movement, track inventory and median list-price changes, and flag any move greater than 2% month-over-month for a deeper review. Those short-term signals can inform timing and pricing decisions.
When portal signals conflict or you need local context, call Behr & Behr Team. We provide hyperlocal comparables, neighborhood days-on-market, school and commute considerations, and agent insight drawn from more than 106 combined years of Colorado Springs experience. That local perspective reconciles automated values with what recent sales and showings indicate — and if you're curious about local terminology and history, read Why Is It Called Real Estate in Colorado Springs? to learn more.
- Download a free neighborhood report for immediate local trends. The report shows inventory, median list price and recent sale activity for your street.
- Request a personalized CMA from Behr & Behr Team for listing or pricing decisions. We will compare the Zestimate to real comps and recommend price adjustments.
- Book an appraisal referral when you need a certified value for lending. We can connect you with local licensed appraisers familiar with the Pikes Peak region.
Why this matters for Colorado Springs homeowners
A Zestimate offers a fast snapshot by blending public records, listing feeds and recent sales, but it is not a final appraisal. Use portal estimates as a starting point; local verification and a CMA provide the precision needed for listing or refinancing decisions. Visit Zillow's Zestimate page for a high-level overview of what the number represents and how Zillow frames its output.
Claiming and updating your Zillow listing helps the model reflect real changes: add accurate square footage, renovation notes and current photos, then pair the online estimate with a local comparative market analysis. If you want to separate fact from fiction about local pricing dynamics, check out Colorado Springs Real Estate Market Myths Debunked. Behr & Behr Team combines Zillow data with over 106 years of Colorado Springs expertise, staging guidance and valuation tools to turn a rough number into a market-ready price.
