We
all know that often times the selling
price of your home is the number one factor a potential buyer
will look at when making a decision to purchase a home. So, as a seller,
please do not underestimate the importance of understanding how your
property is priced in comparison to others in the area of similar
size, age and amenities. This is called market comps. Market comps
and pricing your home properly to sell can make all the difference
in the world, as to your success or failure according to Joe Santoro
and Nick Santoro of Personal Property Managers. These tips and insights are especially important and true in the environment we are in today, with the global economy turned upside down, massive job losses, and the need for extreme social distancing due to the Corona Virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. Additionally, during this challenging time in the Corona Virus and COVID-19 era, we help families that are unable travel or tend to their property needs by providing a true one-stop resource. We are focused on making life just a little easier for families during often difficult times. With Personal Property Managers, one call does it all.
This is part of our best in class continuing series of insights provided by Nick Santoro and Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers, who specialize in home downsizing, estate sales and real estate sales in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
This year is shaping up to be a very strong turnaround of the real estate market.
One of the key components to any real estate transaction is a home appraisal. It is extremely important and most folks do not understand it. Did you know that even if both sides; the buyer and the seller agree to a sale price, the deal can potentially unravel if the home appraisal conducted by your mortgage company comes in below the contracted selling price?
How can a home sale unravel when both the buyer and seller agree to a selling and purchase price? It's because most buyers will need some form of bank financing. Most lenders today will end up to a specified percentage of a home's appraised value. If for example, the home appraised value is less than the selling price, the bank or lending institution will reject the loan, thus terminating the deal. So if you wish to purchase a home for $400,000 and the seller agrees, and then the bank appraisal comes in at let's say $365,000, the bank will deny the financing. When this scenario occurs, the seller may not want to drop the price of the home. The buyer may not have the available cash to make up the difference or may not be willing to pay more than a home's appraised value. As a result, the transaction could fall apart. Real Estate experts say it's important for all parties involved to understand the reasons for low appraisals and the options available.
One of the reasons we are seeing low appraisals today stems from the fact that due to current market conditions, available housing inventory has decreased and sellers are able to get a bit more for their home. For example, if other comparable homes within a neighborhood or surrounding area are selling for $325,000 and the seller lists a home for $375,000 and is offered say $350,000, there's a chance the home will not appraise because comparable homes have sold at much lower prices.
There is a difference between appraised value and current market value. The appraiser's job is to look at comps and try to find something that closed or settled as recently as possible. In some cases the appraiser is looking at properties that closed or settled 6 months ago.
A disconnect between appraised value and desired selling prices can occur when a lack of recent comps is available and an appraiser is looking at homes that sold many months ago, thus effecting its price.
In addition, did you know that a neighborhoods recent foreclosures and short sales, which often times sell for far less than market prices count as valid comps and can impact a appraisers evaluation of a house?
Most appraisers welcome input and examples of recent comps from seller agents. It's just another perspective for them to consider.
An agent's involvement and perspective is particularly valuable if an appraiser is not familiar with the market area in question.
So, what should a buyer do when an appraisal situation arises that could negatively impact a real estate deal? Do not assume that all is lost, at least not immediately. Working with an experienced real estate professional who knows the market can be particularly helpful when dealing with a low appraisal.
If an appraisal comes in low, the choices usually are: the buyer comes up with more of a down payment, the seller lowers the price of the house or the two parties agree to meet somewhere in the middle. When faced with a low appraisal it almost always becomes a re-negotiation situation. Usually it all comes down to a buyer and seller motivation, and what each party is willing to do in order to make the deal happen. Understand that every situation is different and must be examined on a case by case basis.
More information can be found on who we are and the importance of market comps via these brief video links.
We offer 6 primary services to help families or executors. They are:
Additional info can be found on this brief 90 second video or a full array of great tips and insights and video by clicking on our resource page.
For more insights, tips and videos please visit our Resource Page in the About us tab.
For more information on real estate or home downsizing please contact Nick Santoro or Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers at 215-485-9272 or 908-368-1909. Personal Property Managers specializes in helping home owners transition from their home of many years into a new community. Personal Property Managers services Pennsylvania and New Jersey and offers downsizing services, estate sales services, home staging, discount full service real estate services via its association with EveryHome Realty. Learn more about Personal Property Managers from our recent News Stories.
