When it comes to pricing real estate, opinions vary on who should have the final say. A recent poll asked who holds the most weight in a transaction, and the results highlight the divide:
44% trust a broker with data to prove it – Brokers live in the market daily, tracking comps, buyer demand, and deal flow. A good broker backs pricing with facts, but some inflate numbers to win listings or miss hidden value.
36% believe their own opinion is best – If you own the property, you know its strengths and weaknesses. But unless the market agrees with your valuation, the sale price is just a number on paper. If you didn’t sell, were you priced too high? If you sold instantly, was it too low?
20% rely on a certified appraiser – Lenders require appraisals, but they aren’t always accurate. Comps can be outdated, income projections can be off, and sometimes a rebuttal is needed to correct the valuation.
0% trust AI-driven estimates – Despite big data, platforms like Zillow and Redfin still miss the mark. They aggregate past sales but fail to account for real-time trends, off-market deals, or unique property factors.
At the end of the day, real estate value is what the market will pay for it. Sellers, brokers, and appraisers all have perspectives, but the deal only happens when buyer and seller agree on price.
Who do you trust most in a transaction? Have you ever had to fight for a valuation?