It’s not just the comps, Zillow is so handy for a world of other things.
I have Zillowed potential rentals to check them out. Armed with the starting info I got from Zillow, I was able to detect flopped flips, less-than-honest rental “agents”, and other hazards to a prospective renter.
I used the mapping function of Zillow, along with a list from a local news station, to figure out where all the houses that burned in 2007 were located. (Hint: avoid a house that is just west of an expanse of brush.)
I love the “historical price” graph at the bottom of a listing, and being able to see what the house cost 10 years ago, etc.
Also that you can see when the house was last purchased, and for how much.
Combined with data from the Treasurer/Tax Collector, Zillow is a huge all-round resource. I hope it, or something like it, stays around.
