Active listings should not be used for comparable values. Those are what the sellers would like to get, not what the property sold for. A considerable gap may exist between those two figures in a rapidly changing market.
I just logged on to our MLS and saw a property that had been originally listed for $325,000 now offered for $200,000. It may sell for less than that. Using the first number would be a poor guideline to contemporary property worth.
I sometimes use active listings to show what NOT to ask for property, especially if they have been on the market for a long time. Why list at a price that the market has already rejected?
Ditto this. My FIL and SIL both protested their tax bill. My SIL’s was accurate, but my FIL’s was wrong and it saved him some money. They do make mistakes!
I’m another real estate person who is telling you to contact a local real estate agent. We have access to all the area tax records and what sold through our service.
Whenever someone comes in asking for information, I do it for free. People remember that and it has lead to some nice dividends.