Expand your search to local realtors when looking to buy or sell.

Buying or selling a home is one of life’s biggest moments and whether it’s your first time or your a seasoned real estate pro, you want to have the most accurate and relevant information available. Zillow is a great resource with a wealth of information available to you. It is a convenient place to view lots of important home buying and selling metrics. With a simple to use interface and a companion app, it truly has never been easier. 

Zillow makes it easy for buyers and sellers to get what they want in an easy one stop shop platform. Buyers have the ability to browse through dozens (and sometimes much more) of listings, see sales history, and get many of the important facts for their potential purchase. Sellers utilizing Zillow are able to get an idea of their homes value through a quick and easy “Zestimate” so they can get a handle on their homes worth. 

There are pitfalls with the zillow platform, however.

Both buyers and sellers should beware of using only Zillow as their only tool for research. For sellers, you may be inclined to go to a local agent with your Zestimate and try to list your home for that. Unfortunately, these prices are often inflated and inaccurate, as your new agent will tell you. Going into the home selling process with an improper understanding of your homes value does not set you up for success and can lead to some uncomfortable moments with your agent. 

When looking to purchase your first house or a second home in Pagosa Springs there are some unique considerations that Zillow can not help you with. Issues such as water, road maintenance, road conditions, internet connectivity, and much more. For instance, if you were looking for a second home in Pagosa Springs and you were interested in the Aspen Springs sub division for its relatively inexpensive home prices that often come with significant acreage, you may be surprised to learn that Zillow does not tell you that you must haul water to your home. Most homes within this sub division have underground cisterns that must be filled in order to have running water. 

A local agent will also be able to help you get utilities connected to your home. Internet connectivity in the Pagosa Springs area can be very tricky.

Those living outside the center of town have limited options for a decent internet connection. A local agent can help you get connected with the best providers, such as Visionary or Zito. Further, a local agent can tell you if the road your potential new home is on is paved or not. The latter is truly a consideration because the road infrastructure in Pagosa Springs and the surrounding Archuleta County area is vastly different than what you may be used to. In fact, many local listings will come with the caveat that you will need 4WD in order to get up the driveway.

If you’re looking and researching on Zillow you also are not going to get matched with an agent that understands your needs, wants, and desires. Once you hit that contact form you are going to be automatically paired with someone. Consider searching for a local agent first to express your interests so that you can find the right match. This will save you time in the end.

Zillow doesn’t take into account the complexities of a vast area such as Pagosa Springs.

From our winding country roads (that are almost all gravel) to cellphone blackout areas, and the large changes in elevation, you’re going to need someone with local knowledge. Whether you’re buying or selling, having an agent with local knowledge will best position you for success in the market.