Of course I can but I’d rather you think about it first. If you haven’t figured it out by the morning, I’ll tell you. It’s a brain-teaZer.

Let me state this as simply as possible. In my example, the number used as the data point in the Zindex IS the zestimate of $436,500. This is a correct statement. For you to suggest otherwise is misleading to the public, IMO.

The Zindex simply does NOT use recent sales prices as data points (they only use the zestimates, which is not the same number, by anyone’s logic). This too is a correct statement. You obviously agree when you state “the zestimate value is used only once”. Exactly! As a Zindex data point. Thank you for making the point, although obtusely.

I have quoted from zillow.com on how the Zindex is determined. Here it is again for your benefit:

“….suppose there are 101 homes in your county. Zillow would create a Zestimate for each of these homes. We then arrange all 101 Zestimates from lowest value to highest and, starting from the smallest value, we would pick the middle one — the 51st — and this would be the Zindex for your county on that particular day.”

You will notice that nowhere does it state that BOTH the sales price and zestimate are used as data points– only 101 zestimates for 101 homes. Simple to understand, no? (actually, you just need to know how to read the words)

Until the Zindex language is corrected, my post stands as accurate. I say it again: Only zestimates, and NOT recent sales prices are the data points comprising a Zindex. (I notice you avoid the use of the term “data point”, suggesting to me you are intentionally trying to skirt the issue — I can’t imagine you don’t know what a data point is)

Re: calculation in a Zindex. (I think here is where you go amiss.)

There is no “calculation” in a Zindex other than listing the zestimates and counting to the middle one. Count along with me, David– zestimate 1, zestimate 2… Easy. Did you count a recent sales price? If so, you made a boo-boo. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200

If you still think I am wrong on the makeup of a Zindex, I suggest you go back and read what data points are counted when a Zindex is arrived at and come back with a link showing where recent sales prices are part of the data points counted. You won’t find it, so I won’t wait up.

And let’s not forget this key Zindex point: for homes without recent sales prices, only zestimates of unknown inaccuracy are filling up that Zindex, right? The more recent sales prices missing, the more the Zindex turns into zestimate mush.

As always, you are the whirling dervish of Zillow spin doctors.

PS: Hey, David, any chance, in the name of transparency, I can see the raw data making up a Zindex for a county?

If you read my previous comment you’d have noticed that I did dispute your example. Both the sales value and the Zestimate value in your example are used to calculate the Zindex. The sales value in your example is in fact used many times in the Zindex calculation whereas the Zestimate value is used only once.

Even your post’s title claims that the Zillow housing report does not use actual home sales; that is incorrect.

Please correctly correct your post.

I’m sorry you misunderstood the post and I take responsibility for that.

So, I clarified the point that Zillow will use a zestimate over a recent sales price as a data point. And for those homes with no recent sales the Zindex will take the starting point (of unknown error) zestimate as a data point. I hope that helps.

Also, I notice you did not dispute my example of the recently sold home, where Zillow used the zestimate instead of the sales price as a data point in the Zindex. Am I to assume that is a correct statement?

Both the sales transaction value and the Zestimate value you mention above are used in calculating the Zindex value for the Home Value Reports.

In your post you erroneously claim that Zillow does not use recent sales to calculate home value reports. That is incorrect. Please correct your post.