Avoiding The Problem Of Low Appraisals
Posted: under Real Estate.
Tags: home selling, las vegas, nevada, Real Estate, residential
In real estate markets where the inventory of unsold homes is escalating a common problem occurs. That is sometimes when a deal is struck it can be put at risk by a low appraisal. Meaning that unless the seller lowers their price or the buyer puts more down the sale can be scuttled. What can be done to avoid such a headache? Let’s find out.
Basically appraisals are built from what comparable properties (comps) sold for. Various factors are taken into consideration. Facts about the house to the type of sale was recorded as these can all affect valuation.
Then too how appraisers are selected has been changed. Before the housing bubble mortgage brokers and lenders worked with local appraisers. Some felt the need to come up with an appraisal that made the deal work. Now appraisers are selected from a pool so as to remove any outside pressures that might influence the final valuation.
So one reason an appraisal might now come in low is the appraiser doesn’t know the neighborhood.
Another cause could is a stagnant housing market means there are fewer sales. Fewer sales means fewer suitable comps. Adding an element of uncertainty to the process.
Mistakes happen. Which would be the third reason for a low appraisal. In the rush to get the appraisal done, the person may miss something about your house or simply select the wrong comps.
So what can you do to avert such a crisis? Well it’s up to you to insure your home isn’t undervalued. Yes the appraisal is technically just one person’s opinion of the value of your home. But it’s one that carries a lot of weight. Problem is there’s nothing in the process that guarantees the appraisal comes up with an accurate valuation. Here’s some things you can do however.
First thing is to dig up comps yourself with the help of your real estate agent. After you find recent comparable sales in your area you want to learn if there were any unusual circumstances behind the sales such as a foreclosure, divorce, lots of deferred maintenance etc. Offer this info to the appraiser. Anything that will make their job easier is appreciated and will definitely help you get a more accurate appraisal.
Curb appeal can make a good impression when the appraiser visits. Maybe not a lot but every little bit helps. So treat this situation like an open house and have your house ready as if it were on display.
What makes your house special? Spell that out to the appraiser to insure these features are taken into consideration. That would be things like upgrades you did or renovations made during the time you owned the house. This action will be appreciated because the appraiser is working under a deadline and this will save them time.
Double check the facts in the final report. There’s no problem asking to see the appraisers report to see if there are any mistakes like the square footage area of the house, size of the lot, number of bathrooms and so forth. If such mistakes are found a do over is in order.
A faltering market lends itself to problems like low appraisals. Not that you need anything else working against selling your home. But it’s wise to do what you can to head this problem off – before it strikes. Yes real estate appraisals are somewhat subjective. Yes they involve judgements. But you can do things to make sure any appraisal done reflects a fair valuation of your property.
If this article on avoiding low ball appraisals was helpful, maybe you need to know more about successfully marketing Las Vegas NV real estate. Or if you’re a buyer maybe ideas on how to go after one of the many Las Vegas new homes, condos or vacation homes would be good. Then stop by TakeMeHomeToVegas.com for other tips you can use.
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Jan 29 2010


