You’ve probably checked Zillow.

The number looks either surprisingly high or weirdly low, and you’re not sure what to believe.

Here’s the honest answer: online estimates in Midwood are often wrong — sometimes by six figures. Here’s why.

Why Zillow Gets Midwood Wrong

Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia use algorithms built on broad sales data. They don’t know that the block you’re on has
40-foot lots while the one two streets over has 25-foot lots. They don’t account for R3 vs R4 zoning, which directly
affects what an investor can build — and therefore what they’ll pay.

They definitely don’t know whether your home is inside the eruv, walking distance to a specific synagogue, or in the
attendance zone for a school that matters to the buyers who will actually make offers.

Those factors move prices by 10–20% in Midwood. That’s $100,000+ on a typical home here.

How Micro-Pricing Actually Works in Midwood

We think about Midwood pricing in layers.

Block — Some blocks command premiums. Corner lots, wider streets, proximity to Ocean Parkway all matter.

Lot and zoning — R4 zoning means more building rights. A bigger lot means more investor interest. These aren’t minor
differences.

Condition — A renovated kitchen on a standard lot can price higher than a dated house on a larger lot, depending on
the buyer type.

Buyer type — An end-user family pricing a 4-bedroom values it differently than an investor running numbers on rental
income or future development.

The right CMA accounts for all of this. An automated estimate accounts for almost none of it.

What Overpricing Actually Costs You

A lot of sellers think: I’ll start high and we can always reduce.

What actually happens: days on market accumulate, buyers notice the price reductions, and offers come in lower than if
you’d priced it right from the start. Stale listings trigger lowball psychology. Buyers assume something is wrong.

In a market like Midwood where homes already average 130+ days, starting overpriced doesn’t give you leverage — it
costs you money.

—Curious what your home is actually worth? We provide accurate, neighborhood-specific valuations for Midwood
sellers. No algorithms. Just real data — https://thebehfarteam.com or (347) 988-2526.