What your home is really worth in today's market

Every seller wants to know the same thing: how much is my home worth? It's a simple question, but the answer depends on a lot more than what Zillow says. In this guide, I'll walk you through how I determine a home's value — and how you can get a realistic picture before you decide to sell in South Florida.

Zestimate vs. real value — know the difference

Zillow's Zestimate is a useful starting point, but it's not a professional valuation. The algorithm can be off by 10% or more, especially in a market like South Florida where local conditions vary street by street. A Zestimate doesn't know about the new roof you just installed, the lake view from your back patio, or that the neighbor's house is a short sale.

A professional comparative market analysis (CMA) is much more accurate. I look at recently sold homes that are genuinely comparable to yours — same neighborhood, similar size, age, condition, and lot. I also factor in active listings (your competition) and expired listings (homes that didn't sell, which tells us what went wrong).

How a CMA works

Here's the process I use for every home I help price:

The biggest mistake sellers make

Overpricing is the #1 reason homes sit on the market. And here's the problem: when a home sits for 60+ days, buyers start to wonder what's wrong with it. They offer below market value, and you end up selling for less than if you'd priced it right from the start.

The data is clear: homes priced correctly from day one sell for 2-5% more than homes that start high and get reduced. The first two weeks on the market are when you get the most traffic and the best offers. Don't waste that window with an inflated price.

How to get a rough estimate yourself

Before you call an agent, here's a quick exercise you can do: look at recent sales of homes just like yours within a few blocks. If you're in a planned community like Boca Winds or Mission Bay, compare homes with the same floor plan. If you're in a neighborhood of similar homes, compare by square footage and condition. Adjust for upgrades (updated kitchens, impact windows, new roof) and for things that need work.

But remember: this is just a rough estimate. A professional CMA takes into account dozens of factors that an online search misses. That's why I always offer a free, no-obligation home valuation — so you can get the real number before making any decisions.

Bottom line

Your home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it — and the best way to find that number is a data-driven CMA from a local agent who knows your neighborhood. If you're curious about your home's value in today's market, let's run the numbers together. No obligation, no pressure — just the real number.