Seneca Housing Portals: A September 2026 Methods Report
Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com publish different Seneca numbers because they measure different things, use different time windows and refresh on different schedules. Treating them as three estimates of one identical metric creates false conflict.
| Provider and date | Published metric | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zillow, Aug. 31 | Typical home value (ZHVI) | $308,416 | A modeled home-value index |
| Zillow, July 31 | Median sale price | $337,167 | Completed-sale median reported on the portal |
| Redfin, three months ending Aug. | Median sale price | $256,830 | Redfin calculation from MLS and/or public records |
| Realtor.com, Sep. overview | Median listing price | $458,995 | Price of active listings |
| Realtor.com, Sep. overview | Median sold price | $357,500 | Completed-sale metric shown on the portal |
Price is not one field
A modeled index, an active-listing median and a closed-sale median describe different populations. They can move in different directions without one source being wrong. A high listing median may reflect the current mix of homes offered, while a closed-sale median reflects properties that actually transferred.
Pace is also defined differently
Zillow reported 47 median days to pending as of August 31. Redfin reported 59 median days on market for August in its trend panel. Realtor.com reported 78 median days on market in its September overview, with historical charts through August. Each number should remain attached to its provider and definition.
Safe use
Use portals for broad Seneca context and as a prompt for questions. Do not apply a portal median to a Lake Keowee waterfront property or use a modeled value as a substitute for a comparable-sales analysis.