Ever wonder how an agent comes up with a home's value — and why it doesn't match what Zillow told you? Here's the honest breakdown. I'm David Millard. I do home evaluations across East Tennessee — Knoxville, Farragut, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Harriman, Kingston, Oliver Springs, Wartburg, Clinton, and Powell. Here's what actually goes into the number.

What a Home Evaluation Really Is

A home evaluation (also called a comparative market analysis, or CMA) is a researched estimate of what your home would sell for right now. It's built on real data: recent sales of comparable homes near you, current listings competing with yours, and adjustments for what makes your home different — size, condition, upgrades, lot, location.

What I Look At

  • Sold comparable homes: what similar homes near you actually closed for in the last 3–6 months. Sold prices, not asking prices.
  • Active competition: what's listed right now that buyers would compare against yours.
  • Your home's specifics: condition, updates, square footage, lot size, and anything that sets it apart.
  • The local market: days on market, price trends, and whether your neighborhood is heating up or cooling off.

Why Online Estimates Get It Wrong in East Tennessee

Online estimators work best in neighborhoods full of nearly identical houses. East Tennessee isn't that. Out here you've got rural properties with acreage, homes on well and septic, unique floor plans, and small towns where there might only be a handful of comparable sales a year. An algorithm can't drive your street, can't see your finished basement, and can't tell which “comparable” sale was a distressed property that dragged the average down. That's why online estimates here can miss by tens of thousands — in either direction.

When Should You Get One?

  • You're thinking about selling — even if it's six months out. Knowing the number shapes your whole plan.
  • You're refinancing or need to know your equity.
  • You're just curious. Plenty of people ask for one a year to keep track of their biggest asset.
  • You're making a big decision — downsizing, relocating, settling an estate — and the number matters.

What It Costs

Nothing. My home evaluations are free and come with zero obligation. If the timing isn't right to sell, I'll tell you that straight.

Get Your Free Evaluation

Fill in your address and I'll get back to you within one business day with a real number built on real sales. Request your free home evaluation here.

Call or text me: (865) 951-9578
Firm: Real Estate Concepts — (423) 346-5800
115 N Kingston St, Wartburg, TN 37887
David Millard Homes - Real Estate Concepts