Feel free to list what you like about each one.

Which one do you think is most accurate?
Which one best sets buyer's expectations?
Do online valuations help you or hinder you in your transactions?

Online valuations, such as those provided by Zillow, give anticipated market values so far from reality as to be totally worthless. The more isolated the area, the less accurate they are. See the prior thread about Automated Valuations Models.

I peaked in the thread mentioned and found that you cited a single case in which a particular model failed. I'm curious if you compared AVMs of different sites when were unable to get meaningful values from the one cited? We often recommend that users compare values from across multiple sites to get a ballpark, rather than relying on one system.

Which AVM systems have you used?

Aside from checking the AVMs suggested by FARVV I don't use any AVM sites. In the other thread I only gave one example of a situation that was way off. However, when I check these AVMs (and I usually do, just in case there's something useful, or in case I think the company may be suggesting a price range of value) I typically see ranch houses mixed with colonials mixed with capes mixed with 2,000 sq ft mixed with 1,000 sq ft. My MLS has a relationship with Real-Info, and their suggested comps are much closer to being useful. Zillow is off a million miles. Trulia is sometimes useful in identifying recent sales in areas where I have no MLS coverage.

To address the variance of AVM models, we recently began including valuations from the other large home valuation sites. This offers a snapshot, just of our valuation, but a range of opinions from which a visitor might be able to glean a more realistic picture. Look up a couple of your properties on our system and let me know what you think.

Okay, I tried to look up my own personal residence and here's what I got:
Site 1: broken link
Site 2: broken link
Site 3: requests personal information...not gonna happen
Site 4: goes to Intelius...report costs approx $5...not gonna happen
Site 5: asks for personal information...not gonna happen
Site 6: goes to Intelius...report costs approx $5...not gonna happen
Site 7: goes to Intelius...see above.

You've got a long way to go to persuade me you're offering me something I can use.

It's gotta be free...and no personal information required beyond giving you the DNA of the property.

May I ask the urls of the sites that you tried? I was referring you to eppraisal.com in my former post.

I've found most appraisal applications need a local link to appraisers. I know of some people whom developed appraiser applications and sell to local appraisers. Local appraisers use the software and copies of the data get uploaded to a dedicated server. AVM models determine the quality of the appraisal in the area and leads are given to real estate investors on a subscription basis.

Since appraisers know the value of the home before it hits the market, it gives them enough lead-time to make a sound business decision on whether to bid on the property.

I went to eappraisal.com
1. Online-Home-Values
2. House-Appraisal.net
3. Free Home Appraisal.com
4. House Values.com
5. Home Gain
6. Connect With Life
7. ICastle

There were more but by that time they seemed to be getting redundant.

If that site isn't you, it would help if you provided a link.
Oh, yes, and after checking all those links I still didn't have an estimated value for my house. One site said it was 936 sq ft (it's actually 986).

http://www.eppraisal.com/

I'm not sure if I can post links yet, but give that a try...

You've won a reprieve from my criticism. But check this out:
http://eappraisal.com/

Yeah, we chose not to go after every knockoff url. Oddly enough, we rank higher than that site for their URL.

:-)

Glad you had the opportunity to check out our site.

No automated online service can replace local knowledge and expertise. It is a nice tool, but not something I would rely on to make such a major financial decision.

Mark, I agree that local knowledge and expertise are irreplacable when making a buying or selling decision. We encourage our users to take advantage of appraisers and real estate agents in their area to get the most accurate value available.

Even so, many people have come to trust online valuations from a trending perspective. Seeing as cost is a limiting factor in obtaining a detailed valuation from local professional every month, consumers appreciate being up to see ball park figures and timely updates that reflect recent sales in their area.

Considering the relative usefulness of online valuations, I propose my original question again:

Which of the major valuation sites is your favorite?

If someone is selling their home, they should expect to be kept abreast of changes in the market since part of the process of being listed with a competent real estate professional is getting regular updates regarding changes in the local real estate market. I will run comps again every month and discuss with my client the competition, the sold homes and what this means for them. And since this just part of the service I provide, there is not any additional cost.