Determining the value of your home is key when you are looking to refinance your mortgage, put your home on the market for sale, or you are completing your own property evaluation for homeowners insurance purposes. There are several different methods you can use to find out property values. The following provides you with some recommendations and tips to help you out while you determine your home's value.
Use Online Value Resources
The internet provides an unlimited amount of information on home and property values and details, so it is one of the easiest tools to find out your home's value. You can quickly go online and complete your search to find out your home's value based on its address within the home value estimator database. There are several popular websites dedicated to calculating property values around the country, and they are a good tool to help you get a ballpark figure for your home's value, but you may not want to put too much weight on this valuation method.
Online property valuation estimates can be correct but they are also prone to errors and miscalculations based on some figures that may not reflect the home's actual condition, external factors, or recent upgrades. For example, a home valuation estimator will use the property tax assessment, which can be a lower estimate of your home's value, so this figure can bring your home's valuation lower than it actually is in reality. Then, if your home is in disrepair or you have recently put an addition onto the back of your home, these factors may not be calculated into the online valuation. Be sure you consider these additional details in your home's valuation and follow up with a professional for an accurate valuation.
Contact a Real Estate Professional
Sometimes when you are dealing in real estate and want to know your home's value, the best source for this information is someone who works in the market on a daily basis. A local real estate agent is going to have a good understanding of your home's location and the existing market so they can help you pinpoint better an accurate home value for your property.
A real estate agent is also going to have access to their online database of home listings and sales so they can back up their valuation with actual market comparable data. And you can use their market comparable data to adjust your home's valuation based on other factors, such as its condition and the neighborhood's condition.
To find out what's your home worth, contact a professional near you.