3 Ways To Discover What Your Home Is Really Worth

By Mark Callender

Hello, my name is Mark Callender and I am a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Results. Because I have been helping families buy and sell their homes for more than 18 years, I am now helping their children to buy their first homes and their parents to downsize. No matter the direction you’re moving, my goal is to make the process as calm and enjoyable as it can be.

This spring, many homeowners are contemplating putting their properties up for sale. If you’re among them, you might be wondering: How do I accurately determine the value of my home?

Let’s say you have a distinctive property, and it’s challenging to find comparable homes. Fear not. The first step is to gather data on recent sales of properties similar to yours. In this bustling market, we typically look for comparables sold within the past three months.

Ideally, we aim to find homes with similar characteristics, such as size, layout, and amenities like granite countertops or hardwood floors. The closer the match in terms of distance, age, and upgrades, the more accurate the valuation.

But what if finding suitable comparables proves elusive? That’s where things get interesting. In cases of truly unique properties, enlisting the help of a professional appraiser might be necessary. While this comes at an additional cost, it can provide a more precise estimate of your home’s value.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the appraisal fee. Sure, it might seem like a hefty investment, but it’s essential to remember that even appraisals are subjective. As someone who briefly held an appraiser’s license before transitioning to real estate sales, I can attest to the fact that they’re not infallible. We all rely on the same set of comparables to determine value, whether it’s me or a seasoned appraiser.

So, before you commit to shelling out hundreds for an appraisal, why not reach out to me first? With my background in both appraisals and real estate, I can provide valuable insights into your property’s worth. And if we determine that an appraisal is the way to go, I’ll guide you through the process every step of the way.

As a bonus, here’s a link to a powerful valuation tool that trumps the likes of Zillow. This tool not only offers an initial estimate of your home’s value but also allows me to fine-tune it based on my in-depth market analysis.