Zillow Said $865K—Here’s How I Sold It for $930K Instead

By Diane Cardano-Casacio

I'm an expert in real estate marketing and negotiation. With innovative strategies and sharp negotiation skills, I help home sellers sell quickly, creatively, and for top dollar while saving them money.

Picture this: You clicked a button online that promised to tell you what your home is worth, and it gave you a number fast and free. But the truth is that number is not accurate, and it could cost you thousands of dollars. I’ve seen it firsthand. I recently sold a home for $930,000, but Zillow said it was worth $865,200, a $65,000 difference. If the sellers had relied on online estimates, they would’ve made different financial decisions and lost a lot of buying power for their next home, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Today, I’ll explain why you shouldn’t rely on online valuation tools to find the price of your home and how to accurately get your property’s real value:

Most of these valuation tools are just a lead trap. You give your info, and suddenly you’re getting calls and emails from agents who don’t know your home, your neighborhood, or your market. The number they send you is based on general data like bedrooms, square footage, and lot size. What they don’t see are the things that truly affect value: your updates, repairs, layout, view, or even the slope of your lot. Those details can raise or lower your home’s worth by tens of thousands.

How to get your home’s value accurately? If you want to know what your home is truly worth, you need a real strategy. You need an agent who knows what buyers are paying in your neighborhood right now, what condition your home is in, what needs to be fixed, what can be updated, and how your home stacks up against the competition. Someone who will walk through every room and find the strengths and weaknesses. Make sure they know how to look for deal-killers like mold, bad wiring, or damage you may not see before your home ever hits the market.

The truth is, pricing your home right isn’t about guessing. It’s about data, timing, and how your home looks to real buyers. That’s how I help sellers get more than what they thought their home was worth. Before you trust an online number, talk to someone who actually knows how to get you the highest price. If you’re thinking about selling or just want to be smart about your next step, feel free to call or text me at (215)669-6285 or email me at dianeandteam@cardanohomeservice.com. I can walk you through the entire process to ensure you get the right value for your property.