In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we take a closer look at Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) and why the online estimate of your home's value may not be the same as what your property is actually worth.

Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and other websites use automated valuation models to estimate home values. But these models rely on available data and algorithms — and there are many things they may not fully understand about your specific property.

We discuss 10 things an AVM may not know about your home, including:

• The condition of your home • Updates and remodeling • Deferred maintenance • Exact location • Neighborhood differences • Lot size and lot characteristics • Outbuildings and additional garages • Floor plans and bedroom differences • Special features and improvements • Current local market conditions • The human element when a buyer walks through a home • Property taxes and the actual cost of owning the home

An online home value can be a useful starting point, but understanding the real value of a property requires looking beyond a computer-generated number.

If you're thinking about selling your home, buying a home, or simply wondering what your property is really worth, this episode of Get Real with Eddie is for you.

Get more real estate information at GetRealWithEddie.com.

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00:00 Why Your Home Isn’t Worth What an Automated Value Model Says 00:23 What Is an AVM? 01:27 Why Different AVMs Give Different Values 03:11 Condition & Maintenance 04:11 Updates & Improvements 05:27 Exact Location 07:07 Lot Size & Property Features 12:47 Floor Plan & Home Layout 13:25 Special Features & Improvements 14:50 What’s Happening in the Local Market 15:20 The Human Element 16:48 Property Taxes & Monthly Payments 17:50 Thoughts on Online Home Values

Who are you listening to when it comes to real estate?

In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie and Nancy talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right influencers—not just as a real estate professional, but as a buyer, seller, investor, or homeowner.

Your family, friends, real estate agent, lender, attorney, contractor, accountant, insurance professional, and other members of your team can all influence the decisions you make. But are they giving you current information and real market data, or are they simply repeating what they heard years ago?

Eddie and Nancy also take a closer look at the Joliet housing market, including the dramatic decline following 2008, the recovery that followed, and what today's home values look like when viewed over a longer period of time.

The conversation also covers negative influencers, overly optimistic advice, the importance of doing your own due diligence, and why the right team matters when making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or building a career in real estate, make sure you're surrounded by people who can help you make informed decisions.

#GetRealWithEddie #RealEstate #RealEstateAdvice #JolietRealEstate #IllinoisRealEstate #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateAgents #HomeOwnership #RealEstateMarket #JolietIL

0:00 Who Are Your Real Estate Influencers?

2:44 How Family and Friends Influence Your Decisions

4:19 The People Who Can Make or Break a Real Estate Decision

7:26 Are Homes Really Overpriced?

11:42 Looking at Joliet Real Estate Since 2008

16:51 What Inflation Has Done to Housing Affordability

19:52 Building the Right Real Estate Team

21:12 Beware of the Negative Influencers—and the Overly Optimistic Ones

22:20 Choosing the Right People and Tools for Your Business

23:43 Planning for 2027

What does the future of real estate look like as we head toward the end of 2026?

On this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down the trends that are shaping the real estate market — from interest rates and the ongoing housing shortage to home prices, first-time buyers, down payment assistance, AI, real estate investing, new construction, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, and the growing importance of local market conditions.

We talk about why inventory can increase while buyers are still struggling to find the right home, how first-time buyers are turning toward condos and townhomes, and why investors are changing their strategies.

We also discuss AI and automated valuation models, including why the information going into an AI system matters just as much as the information coming out. The conversation also explores the BRRR strategy, investment properties, flips, new construction, assumable mortgages, and potential ways to address the mortgage rate lock-in effect.

And perhaps one of the biggest takeaways: real estate is becoming even more local. National trends don't necessarily tell you what's happening in Illinois, Will County, Joliet, or even your individual neighborhood.

If you're buying, selling, investing, or simply trying to understand where real estate is heading, this episode gives you plenty of topics to watch as we move toward 2027.

Get Real with Eddie is your source for real estate conversations affecting buyers, sellers, investors, and the communities we serve.

Visit GetRealWithEddie.com.

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Chapters:

00:00 The Future of Real Estate in 2026 02:40 Inventory Is Up, But Buyers Are Still Struggling 05:22 The Return of the First-Time Home Buyer 08:39 How AI Is Changing Real Estate 12:47 Real Estate Investors Are Changing Strategy 14:42 Investors, Real Estate Licenses & Disclosure 16:44 New Construction vs. Existing Homes 20:01 Why Inventory Is Still So Limited 23:30 Assumable Mortgages & Possible Solutions 27:21 What These Trends Could Mean for 2027