Real Estate

At the risk of sounding like a Realtor, the best way to get an accurate idea of what your home should sell for - CALL A REALTOR !!
For some reason, some people would rather do ANYTHING than call a Realtor. But the fact is, an experienced Realtor is the only one who can give you an accurate value.

Follow up:

WHY? They know the market better than "Zillow" or any other automated home valuation system.

Don't think you can take a 6 month old appraisal that you paid for in order to do a Re-finance, and assume that it is a good indication of what today's maket will bring.

Your house is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it !!

Sad, but true. Let's say, your home was built in 1973 just like all the other homes in the neighborhood. Let's say, they all sold for about $80,000 new. Let's say that most of the homes in the immediate area have a little updating. Let's assume that the average sale price in the the last 6 months in the neighborhood is $150,000. The average home in the neighborhood is 3 bedroom, 1 or 2 bath, 2 car garage, about 1200 sq. ft.

Your house, on the other hand, has been updated with granite kitchen countertops, brazillian cherry floors in the entryway, hallway and kitchen ,new carpet and a jetted tub in the master bath.

Your house should be worth waaaaaaay more than those other houses, right? WRONG ! Any upgrades in the kitchen will bring you the best return on your investment. However, the original turquiose fixtures in the main bath, and all the other things that date the home will be a drawback. Most of what you've done to your home may help it sell quicker than the home down the street, but will not bring you, dollar for dollar, what you put into it. Especially if there are quite a few foreclosures in the area.

Zillow and the automated home value systems can give you a ballpark figure of your homes value, but if you are serious about selling and want to sell quickly, your best bet is to hire a good Realtor.

If you are in Colorado, I can help you, otherwise, I can refer you to someone else who is also honest, competent and experienced.

Chris Mullins
Real Estate Broker
Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors