What’s My Home Worth? How to Get an Accurate Estimate

How to Understand Your Home’s Value in Today’s Market

Whether you're planning to sell, refinance, or just want to keep tabs on your equity, knowing your home's value is key. It’s one of the most important numbers a homeowner can track—but also one of the most misunderstood.

At first glance, getting a home value estimate seems easy. A quick Google search or free online tool will give you a number. But if you’re using that number to make real decisions—like when to sell or how to price your home—you’ll want to go deeper.

Let’s walk through how home values are really calculated, what online tools get right (and wrong), and how to get a number you can actually rely on.

Start With an Online Estimate (But Don’t Stop There)

Online home valuation tools use something called an automated valuation model (AVM). These models pull data from recent home sales, property records, and neighborhood trends to generate a ballpark estimate of your home’s value.

It’s a great starting point, and you can get your free report in seconds at wisser.homes/home-value.

But while AVMs are helpful for a general idea, they don’t factor in the unique details that matter most—things like condition, layout, upgrades, or even how your home compares visually to others nearby.

Why Online Estimates Can Miss the Mark

Here are just a few reasons AVMs might be off—sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars:

• No visibility into your home’s interior: A remodeled kitchen or updated HVAC system won’t be reflected in the data.

• Condition isn’t accounted for: Two homes might have the same square footage and age, but one’s been fully renovated while the other hasn’t.

• Local nuances are missed: Market trends can shift block by block. A neighborhood with a highly-rated school or a recent development boom might skew values upward, even if surrounding areas stay flat.

• Recent comparable sales might not be relevant: If no similar homes have sold recently, AVMs may base values on outdated or dissimilar properties.

Bottom line: AVMs are a helpful tool—but they don’t replace local knowledge and human insight.

What Actually Goes Into a Reliable Home Valuation?

To get an accurate number, here’s what needs to be considered:

1. Comparable Sales (aka “Comps”)

These are recently sold homes in your area that are similar in size, condition, layout, and location. Ideally, they’ve sold within the last 3–6 months. Adjustments are made for things like square footage, number of bedrooms, upgrades, and lot size.

2. Current Market Conditions

Is inventory low? Are homes sitting longer? Is demand surging in your area due to new job growth, school changes, or seasonal shifts? These factors can all impact pricing—and they change fast.

3. Your Home’s Unique Features

That sunroom you added, the view from your backyard, or your solar panel system all influence perceived value. So do less flashy features like updated insulation, a newer roof, or quality landscaping.

4. Your Timeline and Goals

Are you trying to sell quickly? Maximize profit? Avoid major pre-sale repairs? Your strategy can affect pricing—because timing, presentation, and negotiation matter just as much as the number itself.

Mistakes to Avoid When Estimating Home Value

It’s easy to overestimate (or underestimate) your home’s worth if you're relying on guesswork or outdated info. Here are some common traps:

• Relying on neighbor hearsay: Just because someone says they sold for $600k doesn’t mean they did—or that your home compares.

• Using tax-assessed value: This number is often much lower than market value and doesn’t reflect current demand.

• Basing price on emotion: Your memories, time spent, or renovation efforts are valuable—but they don’t always translate directly into sale price.

Why It Matters—Even If You're Not Selling Yet

Even if you’re not ready to list your home today, tracking its value helps with:

• Equity planning: Know how much wealth you’ve built

• Refinancing decisions: Especially in changing interest rate environments

• Future upgrades: Decide which improvements are worth the investment

• Timing your move: Sell when the numbers (and market) make the most sense

The Bottom Line

Knowing your home’s true value gives you options. It helps you plan smart, make confident decisions, and avoid costly mistakes—whether you're selling next month or just exploring what’s possible.

Want a Clearer Picture of Your Home’s Value?

📍 Start with your free estimate using recent market data.

Then, when you're ready, we’ll help you take the next step: a personalized, local market review tailored to your home’s features, your goals, and real-time trends in your neighborhood.

We're here to help you make sense of the market—so you can move forward with clarity.