EXAMPLE OF DIFFERING HOME VALUATIONS
A buyer is interested in a home listed at $420,000. The online valuation determines the house is worth $440,000. Based on that estimate, the buyer offers the asking price. When a professional appraisal comes in at $400,000, and the existing tax records assess the home at $300,000, the buyer wonders why the values are so different and whether he overpaid. The house was listed at $420,000 because at that price, the home would sell in a reasonable amount of time. Why would the appraised value not be whatever a buyer was willing to pay? The fact that they paid $420,000 does not mean that is the true value of the home. Certain factors may weigh in — undesirable businesses locatednear the property, for example. Online valuations cannot take into consideration the condition of the property or the qualities of the neighborhood. Since an assessedhome value is for taxing purposes only, it can bemuchmore ormuch less than themarket value. Ideally, they should be the same, but usually they are not; it is based on a percentageof the appraisedvaluedeterminedby aprofessional. From legal descriptions to onsite inspections to comparable home-selling prices, the assessor will take all these things into consideration when appraising a home. Location near industry, high traffic, or potential development will also affect the appraisal.
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