The most direct ways to find your home's value
The fastest way to get a rough estimate is to search your address on Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com. These sites pull public records and recent sales data to show what they call a "Zestimate" (Zillow) or automated valuation model (AVM). You will see a number in minutes, with no account needed. The estimate usually falls within 5 to 20 percent of what a home actually sells for, depending on how recently homes near you sold and how different yours is from them.
A second option is to look up your county assessor's website directly. Search "[your county] assessor" and find the property records portal. You will see the assessed value — what your local government thinks the home is worth for tax purposes. This is often lower than market value because assessments lag behind actual sales, but it is a real number tied to your address and public records. No login is required.
The most reliable number comes from a professional appraisal, which costs between $300 and $500. An appraiser visits the home, measures it, inspects its condition, and compares it to recent sales of similar homes in your area. Banks require this before lending. If you are refinancing or selling, you will get an appraisal anyway. If you just want to know the value for your own planning, an appraisal is the most defensible option but also the most expensive.
Key Takeaways
- Online estimators like Zillow and Redfin give you a free number in minutes but can be off by 5 to 20 percent depending on your neighborhood and how recently homes sold nearby.
- Your county assessor's website shows the assessed value for tax purposes, which is public record and free but usually lower than what your home would sell for today.
- A professional appraisal costs $300 to $500 and is the most accurate option, especially if you need the number for a bank or major financial decision.
- The value you find depends on what you are using it for — refinancing, selling, insurance, or personal planning — and different sources serve different purposes.
What online estimates actually measure
When you see a number on Zillow or Redfin, you are looking at an algorithm's guess based on public data: your home's size, age, lot size, and the prices of homes that sold recently within a few miles of you. The algorithm works better in neighborhoods where homes are similar and sell often. It works worse in rural areas, in neighborhoods with few recent sales, or if your home is unusual — a historic property, a custom renovation, or one with major damage.
These estimates update as new sales data comes in, so the number you see today may be different next month. The sites also let you adjust the estimate yourself by telling them about recent renovations or damage, but your adjustments are guesses, not verified facts. Use the online number as a starting point, not a final answer.
How to read your county assessor's value
The assessed value is what your county uses to calculate property taxes. It is usually 80 to 90 percent of market value, sometimes less, because assessments are updated on a schedule — often every three to five years — rather than after every sale. In some states, assessments are capped and grow slowly even as the market rises. In others, they reset to market value when you buy or refinance.
To find it, go to your county assessor's website and search by address or parcel number. You will see the assessed value, the land value, the building value, and sometimes recent sales of comparable homes. This is public information and costs nothing. The assessed value is useful for understanding your tax bill and for a rough sense of value, but it is not the same as market value.
When to pay for a professional appraisal
You need a professional appraisal if you are refinancing a mortgage, taking out a home equity loan, or selling through a real estate agent (the buyer's lender will order one anyway). You may also want one if you are making a major insurance claim, settling a divorce, or planning a large renovation and need to know whether it will pay for itself in resale value.
If you are just curious about your home's value for personal planning — deciding whether to stay or move, understanding your net worth — an online estimate is usually enough. The cost of an appraisal is hard to justify unless you have a specific financial decision hanging on the number.
How recent sales in your area affect the estimate
The more homes that have sold near you recently, the more accurate any estimate will be. If five homes on your street sold in the past year, an estimate is probably within 5 to 10 percent of reality. If the last comparable sale was three years ago in a neighborhood two miles away, the estimate could be off by 15 to 20 percent or more.
You can see the recent sales yourself by searching your address on Zillow or Redfin and looking at the "Zestimate" or "Redfin Estimate" section. Both sites show you which homes they used to build the estimate and how recent those sales were. If the comparable homes are old, far away, or very different from yours, treat the estimate as a rough guide rather than a precise number.
What to do if your home is unusual or hard to value
If your home is a historic property, a custom build, a fixer-upper, or located in a rural area with few recent sales, online estimates are less reliable. In these cases, a professional appraisal is worth the cost because the appraiser can account for features that an algorithm cannot — original woodwork, a unique layout, or deferred maintenance.
You can also talk to a local real estate agent who knows your neighborhood. Many will give you a free market analysis (sometimes called a CMA, or comparative market analysis) based on their knowledge of recent sales and current listings. This is not an appraisal, but it is an informed opinion from someone who sells homes in your area regularly. The agent has a financial incentive to be accurate because they want to list your home if you decide to sell.
Using your home's value for financial planning
Once you have a number, you can use it to understand your net worth, calculate how much equity you have (the value minus what you owe on the mortgage), or decide whether to refinance or take out a home equity loan. If you are planning a major expense — a renovation, a child's education, or retirement — knowing your home's value helps you see what borrowing options are available to you.
Keep in mind that the value you find is a snapshot. Home values change with the market, with the condition of your home, and with changes to your neighborhood. A number from six months ago may be outdated if your area has seen a lot of new sales or if you have made major repairs or renovations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zillow estimate the same as what my home will sell for?
No. Zillow's estimate is usually within 5 to 20 percent of actual sale price, but it can be further off depending on your neighborhood and how unique your home is. The actual sale price depends on the buyer, the condition of the home at the time of sale, and market conditions on the day you sell.
Can I use my county assessor's value to refinance my home?
No. Banks require a professional appraisal for refinancing, not an assessed value. The assessed value is for tax purposes and is usually lower than market value. Your lender will order and pay for the appraisal as part of the refinancing process.
How often should I check my home's value?
If you are just tracking it for personal knowledge, once or twice a year is enough. If you are considering selling or refinancing, check it a few months before you plan to act so you have time to understand the current market. If you are making a major financial decision based on the value, get a professional appraisal.
What if the online estimate seems way too high or too low?
Check the comparable homes the site used to build the estimate. If they are old, far away, or very different from yours, the estimate is less reliable. You can also look at recent sales on your street or nearby streets to see if the estimate makes sense. If you are unsure, a professional appraisal is the only way to get a defensible number.
Do I need to update my home's value if I make renovations?
You can update it on Zillow or Redfin by telling them about the renovation, but these updates are self-reported and not verified. The value will update automatically as new sales data comes in. If you need an official updated value for a loan or insurance, ask your lender or insurance company whether they need a new appraisal.