Where do people go when they start looking at a house? Online. What is the first real estate website people think of? Likely, Zillow. So what might potential buyers think if your house is listed for sale at say, $400,000 and your Zestimate, (Zillow’s estimate of the value of your house) claims your house is only worth $320,000?
Have you made any changes since you bought your house? Finished your basement? Added a bedroom? We suggest you claim your house and make sure your data is correct. It takes time for Zillow’s algorithms to adjust, so even if you are thinking of moving in a few years, claim your house today. Here’s how.
Go to zillow.com, search for your house, click on three little dots in upper right hand corner, then click “claim ownership.” You will need to create a new account with email and password. Next go back to the three little dots in the upper right hand corner and click “edit.”
Make sure your number of bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, and finished square feet is accurate.
-A legal bedroom in Minnesota has at least 70 square feet and one egress window or door directly exiting the structure.
-Lot size for Hennepin County property can be looked up at https://www16.co.hennepin.mn.us/pins/addrresult.jsp.
-A structural remodel increases square footage by 10% or more.
-Your foundation is generally going to be perimeter measurements converted to area. For example, 10 feet × 6 feet = 60 square feet.
For example, if you have a house with a basement and main floor, take your foundation size, double it and subtract what is unfinished.
-Foundation size can be calculated by measuring around the outside of your house.
-Finished rooms have have a flooring beyond cement, a ceiling that is not just the floor joists above it, and walls that are not just cinderblock. Your typical basement laundry room is unfinished, for example.
-Normally garages and porches are not factored into the foundation size. Exceptions would be if the garage has livable space above it, like a tuck under garage or converted attic space.
No need to click the boxes on “additional information” or add pictures or media.
Save changes with the blue button on the bottom left. Congratulations, you have officially updated your Zestimate!
If you have any questions about this, give us a call, we are happy to come out to measure and update the information on Zillow for you!
Steve Schneeberger 612-581-7313
Corey Current Halls 952-994-3989