Selling prices of comparable homes have been used by many homebuyers to give them an estimate of the worth of a house. Although these numbers may give you a cost estimate of a home’s worth, it’s essential you don’t fully rely only on them. There could be special circumstances associated with the home’s sale that may have driven the price above or below its genuine market value. It’s essential to ask your self these important questions:
-Was the seller or buyer pressured to close fast because of time constraints or other special circumstances? A buyer who has an urgent need to move in fast might pay over current marketplace value on a house.
-Did the closing price include any of the seller’s furniture or personal items? If a sale included a $10,000 customized surround sound stereo system, custom window shades, additional appliances, and a complete workshop with specialized tools, most most likely the closing sales price will be higher.
-Are the parties related or friends? A home sale between friends or relatives may not accurately reflect the current market value of a home. When a parent sells a home to their children, most likely it won’t be for maximum value.
-Are real estate agents involved? Buyers and sellers who work with an experienced agent will be more educated about the real estate market. Their home sales tend to reflect the current market value of a property. However, buyers and sellers who handle the purchase or sale on their own tend to pay more or too little when compared to current market value.
-Is owner financing involved? A buyer might spend more for a house if a seller is willing to assist with financing.
-When did the sale take place? Public records will indicate when a property sale closed. That date indicates when funds were exchanged and title was transferred over to the new owners. However, the date the homebuyer and seller signed the original purchase agreement could have been a number of months prior to closing.
In steady marketplace conditions, a time lag of a few months may not affect the value of a house. However, in a volatile marketplace, a time lag of a number of months can have an effect on the market value of homes. Ask your Realtor to check the contract sales date of the comp sales you’re using. Then ask your agent if the market is shifting. Is there an growing inventory of unsold homes? Are homebuyers offering considerably less than a home’s listing price? Have open house visitors dwindled to a trickle?
By reviewing these questions, you safeguard yourself against buying a house in a slowing marketplace with decreasing values. When you notice the real estate marketplace conditions changing, it’s essential to spend additional time investigating past selling prices.
Looking for the best homes for sale? Then check out these Orange CA homes for sale and use local Orange CA Realtors to help you locate the best one.