Is PropertyDNA free for homebuyers?

Yes. The PropertyDNA iOS app is 100% free for homebuyers and homeowners. Every feature — valuation, risk analysis, permit history, comparable sales, neighborhood scoring — is unlocked at no charge. There are no in-app purchases, no subscriptions, and no upsells in the iOS app.

How is PropertyDNA different from Zestimate or Realtor.com?

Zestimate and Realtor.com show price estimates only. PropertyDNA delivers institutional-grade intelligence — permit history, FEMA flood zones, CalFire wildfire severity zones, USGS seismic exposure, school ratings, comparable sales velocity, and a confidence-scored 5-year value trajectory. Every metric is mathematically derivable from a named public data source.

Why is PropertyDNA called 'defending homebuyers from predatory agents'?

Real estate agents are paid as a percentage of transaction value, which structurally biases them toward closing the deal — not toward protecting the buyer's interests. PropertyDNA hands the buyer the same institutional-grade data their agent has access to, eliminating the information asymmetry that lets predatory practices flourish.

What data sources does PropertyDNA use?

RentCast MLS for live listings and valuation, US Census ACS for demographics, FEMA NFHL for flood zones, CalFire FHSZ for wildfire severity, USGS for seismic hazard, county Assessor CREST APIs for permit and renovation history, and the National Weather Service for climate exposure. Every metric is named and traceable.

What markets does PropertyDNA cover?

1.67 million+ parcels across the entire Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Coachella), Riverside and San Diego counties, Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida, the Connecticut tri-state luxury corridor (Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport, Darien), and Westchester County in New York.

Valuation · 6 min read

What a Mountain View Is Actually Worth

A protected, west-facing mountain view is worth more than an obstructable one. How to price a view like an appraiser instead of a poet.

Every listing photo faces the mountains. That does not make every view equally valuable. Appraisers and disciplined buyers price views on three axes: orientation, permanence, and privacy.

Orientation

West-facing San Jacinto views at sunset command more than a north-facing sliver. Orientation determines how often the view is actually enjoyed and how it photographs.

Permanence

A view over protected land or a golf course is worth more than one that a future build next door can erase. Permanence is the difference between a durable premium and a temporary one.

Run a Property DNA report to see how lot position and orientation factor into a specific address, then compare it against the neighborhood on the market page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mountain view add to a home’s value?

It varies with orientation, permanence, and privacy. A protected, west-facing view adds far more than an obstructable one, which is why views should be priced on those axes rather than as a flat premium.

Related markets & research

Run a free Property DNA report →

Last updated: 2026-01-29