The Power of Pre-Listing Appraisals
There are several different ways to find the right listing price for your property. One is to get a pre-listing appraisal.
A professional appraiser evaluates your home and provides an unbiased assessment of its value based on its condition, location and a few other factors. This information can help you set a competitive price that attracts potential buyers while also ensuring you get fair price for your property.
A pre-listing appraisal can also give you confidence in your pricing strategy and help you negotiate effectively with buyers. It's a proactive step that can streamline the selling process and lead to a successful sale.
What is a pre-listing appraisal?
Pre-listing appraisals (or pre-appraisals) are appraisals ordered by homeowners prior to listing their house for sale. They're optional appraisals that sellers choose to order to establish a more accurate listing price for their property.
During a pre-listing appraisal, a licensed appraiser will analyze the property's size, location, condition and curb appeal through expert, unbiased eyes. They'll use their findings to determine the property's value so that you can list your property at a fair, accurate price.
Ready to get your house on the market? Order a virtual pre-listing appraisal from Appreeze!
When seeking a pre-listing appraisal report, you will need to hire a certified appraiser or appraisal company to evaluate the property. Appreeze is an online appraisal platform that conducts virtual appraisals over live, GPS authenticated, video using the homeowner's smartphone.
They provide a streamlined scheduling and inspection experience for clients. You can easily order, pay, and track your appraisals through Appreeze's requester portal.
Click here to get started on a pre-listing appraisal with Appreeze!
Pre-listing appraisal and listing price: How do they relate?
You don't necessarily need a pre-listing appraisal to determine your listing price. However, it's one of the most efficient ways to do it.
You could also research comparable sales in your area, but this will only give you an idea of a good starting point. It also costs you valuable time and doesn't consider specific details of each home the way a professional appraisal will.
Sellers also have the option to hire a real estate agent who can perform a professional comparative market analysis (CMA), but not every seller wants to use an agent. Getting a pre-listing appraisal allows you the freedom to find your price and sell your house on your own without losing money to a realtor's fee.
Ultimately, a pre-listing appraisal allows you to get a more accurate listing price based on specific factors and details about your property. It can also save you extra time and money in the long run.
Who should get a pre-listing appraisal?
While pre-listing appraisals are beneficial for all home sellers, certain circumstances might have more need for a pre-appraisal. Sellers who would benefit most from a professional appraisal include:
Sellers who do not have an agent
Some sellers choose not to hire real estate agents for their sales process. In this case, you might find a pre-listing appraisal useful because, without a listing agent, you won't have access to a professional comparative market analysis. A pre-listing appraisal will help you find an accurate, competitive sales price, even without a CMA report.
Sellers with hard-to-value properties
Hard-to-value properties, such as those with unique or custom-built features, can be difficult to value, especially if there are no others like it in the local market. Sellers with these kinds of properties could benefit from the expertise of a licensed appraiser in determining an appropriate listing price. The appraisal valuation process will cover all the unique features and conditions of the home and include that in their analysis.
Sellers who do not agree with their agent
Sellers and real estate agents don't always agree on pricing strategies. In this situation, people often seek an independent appraisal to get a detailed, unbiased home value. The pre-listing appraisal can provide sellers with a second opinion about the listing price and help them make value adjustments based on the results.
Benefits of Pre-Listing Appraisals
Sometimes sellers might have unrealistic expectations for their home's value or listing price. That's why one of the primary benefits of pre-listing appraisals is their ability to provide an unbiased and professional evaluation of a property's value. Certified appraisers, equipped with extensive market knowledge and analytical skills, conduct thorough assessments of the property, delivering an accurate and impartial estimation of the property's worth. This empowers sellers with valuable data to make informed decisions regarding pricing strategies, marketing efforts, and negotiations, ultimately maximizing their chances of a successful sale.
Key benefits of pre-listing appraisals:
- Unbiased inspection and valuation
- Evidence to support your position in sales negotiations
- Provides a second opinion apart from a real estate agent
- Reassurance that you are using a competitive listing price.
The Appraisal Process
During a pre-listing appraisal, a licensed appraiser spends time conducting a thorough examination of the property, considering various factors that influence its value. These factors typically include the property's size, location, condition, and curb appeal, among others.
The appraiser then provides an unbiased assessment of the property's worth based on current market trends and recent sales of comparable properties in the area. This comprehensive evaluation equips sellers with the information they need to confidently price their home for sale, avoiding overpricing or underpricing, which can hinder the selling process.
Appreeze - A streamlined virtual pre-listing appraisal experience
Selling your house comes with plenty of challenges - getting a pre-listing appraisal shouldn't be one of them. Appreeze makes the entire appraisal process a breeze with virtual walkthroughs and a streamlined scheduling and payment system.
Find the right listing price with a professional home appraisal from Appreeze today!
Frequently asked questions
Should I get my house appraised before selling it?
The decision to get your house appraised before selling depends on your individual circumstances and preferences, but many sellers find this step worthwhile in finding the right selling price for their house.
Why does the appraised value of my home not match what Zillow says?
A Zillow value is just an estimate of a home's value, so it won't be an exact match. Zillow simply provides a broad picture of what the property value might be, but it can't go into your home and inspect specific features like renovations and customized features the way a professional appraiser can.
Will my house sell at the price of the pre-listing appraisal value?
Though a pre-listing appraisal can be beneficial during the listing process, it does not guarantee that the property will be sold at that exact value, as many other factors come into play when finalizing the sales process.
