If you’ve ever searched your address on Zillow or Redfin just to see what your home is “worth,” you’re not alone. Many homeowners use online estimates as a starting point when they’re thinking about selling, refinancing, or simply staying in tune with the market. These tools are fast, free, and widely accessible.
But in Texas, and especially in a diverse market like Houston, those online numbers are often misleading. The issue isn’t just the tools themselves. It’s that Texas doesn’t share home sale prices publicly, and that missing piece changes everything. For many properties in the Houston area, online valuations can be significantly off the mark, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
If you’re making a decision that depends on knowing what your home is really worth, it’s important to understand what these tools get right, what they miss, and how a professional appraisal compares.
Why Texas Makes Things Tricky for Online Estimates
In most states, when a home sells, the sale price is recorded as public data. That means websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com can access those numbers to calculate more accurate estimates. Texas operates differently. It is one of the few non-disclosure states in the country. This means sale prices are private. Unless a transaction is voluntarily reported through the MLS or a similar source, online platforms have no access to that final figure.
What these sites rely on instead are property tax assessments, which are intended for tax purposes and often lag behind the real market. They also use general information about nearby homes, which might not be relevant if your home has been updated, is in better or worse condition, or sits in a more desirable location.
The result is a lot of guesswork. You may see an estimate that looks close, or you may see one that feels completely off. In either case, it’s not built on the kind of data you would want to use for an important financial decision.
Why Houston Poses an Extra Challenge for Algorithms
Houston is one of the most architecturally and economically diverse metro areas in the country. It’s common to see a renovated bungalow next to a home that hasn’t been touched in decades. You can find historic homes, brand-new construction, and everything in between, often on the same street.
Neighborhoods like The Heights, Garden Oaks, or Montrose are filled with unique homes that vary widely in size, condition, and design. Even in the suburbs, where newer developments create more uniform homes, there are still differences in lot premiums, builder quality, and neighborhood amenities that influence value.
Online tools struggle to make sense of this. They assume that if your home is near another one with similar square footage, the two must be worth about the same. But in Houston, location and condition can swing a home’s value far beyond what square footage alone can explain.
What a Professional Appraiser Does Differently
When you hire an appraiser, you're getting more than a number pulled from a database. You're getting a certified, unbiased opinion of value based on verified sales, property condition, and local expertise.
Appraisers can access actual sale prices through the MLS, something online platforms cannot do in Texas. We physically inspect your home, noting any upgrades, renovations, layout changes, or deferred maintenance. We evaluate neighborhood trends, external influences, and the nuances that affect value in specific parts of the Houston area.
Whether it’s a custom build in Memorial, a townhome near the Galleria, or a home on acreage near Tomball, a qualified appraiser understands the factors that make it unique and how those features translate to market value.
When Online Estimates Might Still Be Useful
There are times when an online home estimate can give you a general sense of value. In newer neighborhoods where homes were built around the same time with similar features, online tools may come close to the mark. Communities in places like Cypress, Pearland, or Spring may produce more consistent results if the homes have not been heavily customized or renovated.
These tools can also be useful for tracking broad market trends. If you’re simply curious whether your home value is trending up or down, public estimates may give you a rough idea of the direction.
But even when the estimate feels accurate, it's important to remember that it is still just that, an estimate. It has not been verified, inspected, or customized for your specific property. If your home has unusual features, recent improvements, or sits in an area experiencing rapid change, the margin of error grows quickly.
Can I Trust My Realtor to Set the Right Price?
Many sellers turn to their real estate agent to set the asking price for their home. This is a natural step in the process, and good agents bring valuable insights to the table. They understand how to position a home in the market, how to create buyer interest, and how to respond to changing conditions once the home is listed.
Most agents use something called a Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA, to recommend a listing price. A CMA looks at recently sold homes in your area and makes price adjustments based on visible differences. It can be a helpful tool, especially when handled by an experienced professional. But it’s still a marketing approach, not a certified valuation.
In some cases, the listing price might be set slightly higher to test the market. In others, it might be priced low to encourage quick offers. Both strategies can work, depending on your goals. However, if you're trying to understand what your home is really worth, not just what someone might offer, an independent appraisal offers a neutral, data-backed perspective.
This can be especially helpful if you're unsure whether your agent's pricing feels right, or if you've received conflicting opinions from multiple professionals. An appraisal provides clarity before your home even hits the market.
Why an Accurate Valuation Matters Right Now
The Houston real estate market is always evolving. Neighborhoods grow, shift, and change in value. Interest rates and inventory influence buyer behavior. In a market this active, guessing wrong on value can lead to missed opportunities, delayed sales, or even legal complications.
In some parts of the city, like West University or Bellaire, even a small pricing mistake can mean tens of thousands in lost equity. In up-and-coming neighborhoods or areas recovering from flood events, the wrong price can stall activity altogether. It’s not about hitting the exact number every time. It’s about having a defensible, realistic view of your property’s value before you make your next move.
Get a Value You Can Actually Trust
At Dirkmaat Appraisal, we provide independent, certified home appraisals throughout the Houston metro area. We’ve worked with homeowners, attorneys, real estate professionals, and investors across a wide range of property types and valuation needs.
Our appraisals are built on verified data, in-person inspection, and local experience. Whether you’re preparing to sell, refinancing, settling an estate, or simply want a true understanding of your home’s value, we’re here to help.
Reach out today and schedule your appraisal with a local expert who knows Houston and delivers the clarity you need.