Market Scan methodology
How Market Scan scoring works
Market Scan gives every eligible listing an objective point total so you can focus first on properties showing stronger opportunity signals. Here is exactly what goes into that number.
What the score means
A sorting tool, not a final judgment
A higher score means the listing contains more of the signals Market Scan is designed to find. It does not mean a property is guaranteed to be a good investment, and it is not an appraisal, probability, or substitute for due diligence. Condition, title, financing, local demand, and your own buy box still matter.
Some listings are removed before scoring
Listings marked pending, coming soon, or open house are excluded and do not receive a score.
Possible score range
Eligible listings can score from −42 to 198
A non-target property type (−15), asking at or above Zestimate (−10), built in 2010 or later (−2), and on the market for fewer than five days (−15).
All positive listing signals, a target property type, recognized deal language, the maximum Zestimate spread, a 2000–2009 build, more than 90 days on market, and three or more recent reductions.
These are theoretical extremes based on the current formula—not ratings of investment quality. Listings excluded before scoring do not fall within this range.
Interactive calculator
Estimate a listing's score
Enter only what you know. Missing information contributes zero points.
Advanced listing status
Market Scan removes these listings before points are calculated.
Estimated score
0
The app displays the rounded total. The point details below retain any decimal value.
Point breakdown
0 factorsAdd listing details to see how points are calculated.
The scoring factors
Every way points are computed
Only factors supported by the listing data are applied. A missing optional field neither helps nor hurts the score.
For sale by owner
+25An FSBO listing may offer a more direct path to the decision-maker and a seller who is handling the process personally.
Foreclosure or bank-owned
+22Foreclosure and bank-owned listings can signal a different sales process or stronger motivation. A listing receives this award once, even if both source flags are present.
Auction
+15Auction listings often have different timing, financing, and condition expectations than a typical retail sale.
Property type
+12 / −15Single-family and multi-family homes receive 12 points. Any other known property type receives a 15-point deduction. If the type is unavailable, no points are added or removed.
Deal language
+20Public remarks are checked for phrases that may signal repairs, seller motivation, financing limitations, or investor positioning. One or many matches produce the same single 20-point award.
Price compared with Zestimate
up to +45 / −10When asking price is below a valid Zestimate, each percentage point below adds one point, capped at 45. An asking price equal to or above Zestimate receives a 10-point deduction. Missing or non-positive values contribute nothing.
Year built
−2 to +6Age bands are used as a lightweight signal for the kind of updates a property may need. The exact bands are shown below.
Days on market
−15 to +25Listings receive more points as they age, because longer market exposure may create room for a different conversation with the seller.
Recent price reductions
+6 to +28Qualifying reductions during the last six months add points. When detailed history is unavailable, a basic reduction flag provides a smaller six-point fallback.
Year built
| Construction year | Points |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | +2 |
| 1940–1959 | +3 |
| 1960–1979 | +4 |
| 1980–1999 | +5 |
| 2000–2009 | +6 |
| 2010 or newer | −2 |
Days on market
| Days | Points |
|---|---|
| 0–4 days | −15 |
| 5–30 days | +5 |
| 31–90 days | +15 |
| 91+ days | +25 |
Price reductions
| Qualifying reductions | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 in the last 6 months | +10 |
| 2 in the last 6 months | +20 |
| 3+ in the last 6 months | +28 |
| Basic reduction flag only | +6 |
A qualifying event is a non-rental price decrease recorded within the previous six calendar months.
View the complete deal-language list64 recognized phrases Show list
Examples include “as-is,” “investor special,” “needs work,” “motivated seller,” and “cash only.” Matching more than one phrase still adds 20 points total.
- as is
- as-is where-is
- as-is
- auction
- bank-owned
- below market
- bring your contractor
- cash offers only
- cash only
- cash
- complete rehab
- delayed showings
- discount
- distressed property
- do not disturb tenants
- estate sale
- estate
- failed appraisal
- failed inspection
- fha
- fire damage
- fix and flip
- fixer upper
- fixer
- flip
- flipper
- foreclosure
- foundation issues
- gut job
- handyman special
- handyman
- hard money
- investing
- investment
- investor friendly
- investor special
- investor
- mold present
- motivated seller
- motivated
- must sell
- needs foundation work
- needs full rehab
- needs work
- no financing
- no repairs
- online auction
- pre-foreclosure
- priced to sell
- probate
- rehab
- reo
- seller financing available
- short sale
- structural issues
- tenant occupied
- tlc
- unfinished basement
- unfinished work
- va
- water damage
- will not go fha
- will not go va
- will not pass inspection
Worked example
From listing details to a score of 117
Consider an FSBO single-family home built in 1985, on the market for 45 days, with two recent price reductions. It is listed for $100,000 against a $125,000 Zestimate, and its description includes a recognized opportunity phrase.
Scores are calculated from available third-party listing data. Data can be missing, delayed, or inaccurate, so always verify important facts independently.