Online real estate valuation has clearly captured the American public's imagination. Below are some myths vs. facts that set homeValence.com apart from other sites.

1. Online Sites are Accurate
The fact is that accurate real estate valuation is an art, not a science. For this reason, people not Web sites prepare the most reliable real estate valuations. Historically, appraisers or real estate brokers tapping their 'feet-on-the-street' knowledge of local real estate markets when providing their services. Without a skilled and licensed professional valuation, real-time Web sites are right about as often as they are wrong. Of concern, people are using such valuations to justify overpricing their property or making lowball offers.

homeValence.com provides free consumer-friendly appreciation management tools in our Basic service, the same as used US Government economists and policy-makers but in an easy-to-use private Web site. What's more, our Premium subscription service permits those needing more precise valuations to order, receive and utilize professionally rendered broker price opinions (BPOs) from their homeValence account.

2. Technology can Value Real Estate Better
Though we love technology, top engineers would need access to better data than what Web sites are using - a few fields in often poorly maintained county tax records. Simply, calculating the price per square foot in an area based on public records is Garbage-In Garbage-Out. In this case, you get what you pay for. The reality is that unlicensed non-members do not have access to hundreds of data fields found in the hundreds of Multiple Listing Service archives nationwide.

homeValence.com levels the information playing field and bypasses industry dysfunction using a patent-pending approach and innovative online technologies to facilitate - not replace what is already working. For the first time ever, homeValence.com unbundles the valuation component in real estate brokerageand makes the information usable.

3. Crowd Validated Pricing Works
While this may be fun and a great way to get eyeballs, random (and mostly unqualified) people guessing prices makes for random prices. Real estate prices are determined by buyers and sellers in local markets agreeing to a very non-commodity transaction. Fantasy buyers playing with Monopoly money leads to an irrelavant pricing commentary.

homeValence.com is an information resource that allows you to leverage the real world business of real estate.

4. Sharing a Property Profile
A good idea, if you own the site and are getting people to udpate your database for you! Otherwise it is a pretty bad deal for you unless you want everyone including the taxman and criminals to easily know the condition of your home, any new improvements and interior layout. King County (Washington state) Assessor Scott Noble said to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2006, 'If the particular individual is doing a major remodel off the books, sure we will utilize every tool to pick up those changes because it is only fair to spread the burden among all.' Now you know.

homeValence.com is about people not parcels; we keep your data private and keep you in control. Neither local tax assessors, would-be thieves nor nosy neighbors can access details or photographs of your property without your permission.

5. Valuation Sites = Lead Brokers
For the most part their business model is simple: entice you with the instant graticiation of a real-time appraisal in order to get your information and sell it to a real estate broker or appraiser in your market. Once in their database (check their privacy policies) you can expect a call and/or email soliciting your business. Not interested? Maybe you can opt-out.

homeValence.com keeps your information anonymous. Our valuation provider partners are not permitted to solicit you. However, you're in charge. If you want to learn more about real estate service provider's services - we can facilitate. Our philosophy is not based on tricking people.

6. Web 2.0 Sites are Making Real Estate More Transparent
Heat maps and median prices are important-sounding statistics but what do they really tell you? Not much as it turns out. People can list homes that may not even be theirs while others are not serious about selling and are having fun 'shooting for the moon!' Others still have no idea because they don't have a licensed professional guiding them. The reality is that without access to MLS data like closed transactions - it is just alot of chatter.

homeValence.com uses the same housing statistics used by the Federal government to make policy decisions in our Basic service. Our Premium service harnesses the fact that in real estate, for a real price to be set money has to change hands and that both buyer and seller must be ready, willing and able to transact. We allow you to get more accurate information without all the hassles.

Learn more in our FAQ