| So, after careful consideration of the time, | | | | if one should pay more for it. |
| expense, and energy involved in selling your own | | | | Age and Overall Condition - When it comes to |
| home, you have decided to go the For Sale By | | | | certain houses, age may be an advantage. In an |
| Owner route. You have taken care of all | | | | historic district, for example, an owner of a |
| necessary inspections and legalities, you are ready | | | | hundred-year-old townhome may be able to |
| to plant a sign on your front lawn and place an ad | | | | attract buyers interested in vintage real estate. |
| in the paper. Before you take these steps to | | | | More so if the house has been cared for very |
| attract potential buyers, of course, you will need | | | | well all this time. Regardless of the age of your |
| to know the value of your home. This will help | | | | home, a property inspector will note wear and |
| you to finalize the proper sale price, one that | | | | tear and overall condition when making a final |
| accurately reflects the condition of the property | | | | price. |
| and surrounding neighborhood, one that will attract | | | | Rooms - How many rooms does your house |
| buyers to make bids. | | | | have? How many bedrooms, bathrooms? What |
| To help determine the sale price, a property | | | | space is designated for living and recreation? Is |
| appraisal agent is needed for assistance. One thing | | | | there an all-purpose room? These days, people |
| to note when your home is appraised: the | | | | with family tend to drift toward larger houses |
| resulting suggested sale price is derived from | | | | with such space, while a couple in retirement may |
| several points of interest. You might think the | | | | want something smaller. What you have to offer |
| price of a home is determined by its age and | | | | a potential buyer will determine for how much the |
| livable condition (to be certain, those are | | | | house should sell. |
| important factors), but oftentimes an appraiser | | | | Square Footage - How big is the house? |
| looks at more than the house. Sometimes he will | | | | One-story or two? Of the square footage, how |
| look beyond the actual building. | | | | much is usable, living space as opposed to space |
| Here are just a few factors taken into | | | | taken up in construction? These days certain |
| consideration when a house is appraised. Consider | | | | people crave more space and may be willing to |
| all of the criteria before you delve into selling. | | | | pay more for it. An appraiser can help determine |
| The Overall Market - Is it a "buyer's market" or a | | | | if your house is worth that price? |
| "seller's market" right now? During a "buyer's | | | | Storage - Does your home have an attic, |
| market" period, people looking for homes have | | | | basement, or both? If yes, are they completed |
| the advantage. There will be many homes | | | | and do they provide livable space? Are they |
| available, and prices will be competitive. A "seller's | | | | divided into rooms? How big is your closet space? |
| market" is more advantageous, naturally, for the | | | | The type of storage and amount you offer can |
| seller. With fewer homes on the market, a seller | | | | be a factor in a high appraisal of your property. |
| has more leverage to negotiate a higher price to | | | | Heating and Air - Does your home have central |
| many buyers bidding for the property. | | | | air or must you rely on window units to keep |
| Location - The old adage of real estate always | | | | cool? Is your home heated by electric, gas, or oil? |
| rings true. Location, location, location! Is your home | | | | How your home is heated and cooled can be a |
| in a desirable, low-crime neighborhood? Is | | | | factor in determining the price of your home. Will |
| development booming? Are you near good | | | | a buyer want to pay more for a home knowing |
| schools and hospitals? Are you near the ocean, | | | | he has to install AC and change out gas heat he |
| the mountains, the Interstate, or within walking | | | | doesn't want? These are things to consider. |
| distance to a busy downtown? When you look | | | | Parking - Is there a garage? One-car, two-car, |
| out the windows, what do you see: the beach, | | | | attached or detached? Is there a carport? If you |
| the desert, busy roads, or the city dump? The | | | | live in an urban area, does your home or condo |
| appraiser takes all of these into consideration to | | | | come with its own parking space? This type of |
| determine a fair price. | | | | convenience (or inconvenience) is looked at often |
| Design - With some houses, you can automatically | | | | when appraising home values. |
| tell when they were built. Like fashion and fads, | | | | Amenities - Do you have a pool? A Jacuzzi? |
| construction styles change over time. Once upon | | | | Skylights and ceiling fans that convey? If you're |
| a time split-level homes were all the rage, while in | | | | on the water, do you have deep-water access |
| recent years you may notice subdivisions | | | | and a boat slip? Is your home equipped with an |
| comprised of attached single-family homes. In | | | | elevator for elderly residents, or a high-tech |
| certain neighborhoods, you will also detect a | | | | security system? The more luxuries are attached |
| pattern, with a particular style repeated every | | | | to a home, the more value can be given. |
| three or so houses. An appraiser will look at the | | | | Financial Considerations - Have any other homes in |
| way your house looks when making a price | | | | your neighborhood sold recently? For how much? |
| determination. Is it a style of home that will appeal | | | | Are you in current financial straits, that you need |
| to today's buyer? Is the color scheme attractive? | | | | to sell quickly? Various financial factors can play a |
| Do you use vinyl siding? Will a buyer look at your | | | | role in a final value, so be sure to go over these |
| house and say, "It's perfect!" | | | | items with the property appraiser. |
| Quality of Construction - What is the foundation | | | | From the inside out, no door is left unopened |
| of your home: brick, concrete, or wood? Are | | | | when your home is appraised for sale value. |
| there leaks? Is the roof sturdy? Has anything | | | | Before you sell, take the time to know what is to |
| been added to the building, or remodeled? When | | | | be considered before you arrive at a final sale |
| an appraiser looks at your home, he will note the | | | | price to offer potential buyers. |
| sturdiness and potential of the home to determine | | | | |