Understanding Different Property Values is Essential

Whether you are a buyer or seller, you will likely see different values online. Knowing the types of property values and what they mean is vital.

Assuming there is a correlation between home value types can lead to mistakes. When you want to know the value of a home, it's essential to understand market value. Home values are a key factor in many people's financial decisions, so it's not hard to understand why they are vital to know.

We will look in-depth to ensure you minimize the chances of making a significant blunder. Four of the most common types of valuation include assessed value, appraised value, Zillow home value, and comparative market analysis.

What Does Assessed Value Mean?

The assessed value is an estimate of a property's worth based on an evaluation of its features and current market conditions for tax purposes.

Assessed values are typically determined by local government assessors and are used to calculate property taxes. Assessed values can be higher or lower than the actual market values and are subject to change based on market conditions, improvements, or other factors.

A buyer or seller should never look at an assessed value used to determine what to offer or accept an offer.

Local municipalities use an assessed value to determine how much money they will receive from a property's taxes. Local communities will set a tax rate to determine how much money they must invest for the city or town to operate within their fiscal budget.

The tax rate and assessed value will ultimately determine how much an owner pays in property taxes. This is referred to as a tax assessment.

Assessed values will be determined by local assessors who use various methods to determine the property value. These methods may include inspections, appraisals, or market research. The assessor's report will include a description of the property and its features, an estimated value, and other information.

What Does Appraised Value Mean?

The appraised value is an estimate of a property's worth based on an evaluation by a professional appraiser. An appraiser is a licensed real estate professional trained and qualified to estimate the value of a property. The appraiser will review the property, its features and amenities, and the current market conditions to determine the value.

The appraiser will examine comparable properties in the area to help them determine the value of the subject property. They may also use other valuation methods, such as cost, income, or market approaches.

The appraised value is typically used when a buyer applies for a home mortgage. Lenders require an appraisal to ensure they lend the buyer an appropriate amount of money.

Home buyers often have an appraisal contingency to ensure they're not overpaying. It is one of the most common real estate contingencies.

The appraised value is also used to determine the market value of a property if it is being used as collateral, or if it is being sold.

In addition, appraised values are used by the IRS when determining the fair market value of a property for tax purposes. It is important to note that the appraised value is an estimate and is not necessarily an exact representation of the property's true market value.

What Does Zillow Home Value Mean?

A Zillow home value is a tool that uses automated value estimates to provide an approximate value of a home. Zillow’s home values are based on recent sales of similar homes in the area. It is a starting point for homeowners and buyers to determine a ballpark value of a property.

These estimates are generated by Zillow’s proprietary algorithm, which considers various factors, including the home's location, size, features, and amenities. The algorithm also utilizes real estate data from multiple sources, such as public records, MLS listings, and user-submitted information.

Zillow home values are not intended to be used as a substitute for an appraisal. They should never be relied upon for a property's actual market value. They are estimates that can significantly exceed the actual home value.

While Zillow is an excellent site for obtaining real estate information, buyers and sellers should never rely on an online valuation for market value.

They are fun to look at, but an owner could drop $50,000 in improvements tomorrow, and Zillow would have no idea.

What is Competitive Market Analysis?

A competitive market analysis (CMA) is a real estate agent's report that helps identify a property's current market value.

Real Estate agents research and analyze comparable homes in the area to provide an estimate of the property’s worth. The CMA will typically include detailed information about the nearby properties, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and other features. The analysis will also include data from recent home sales in the area to provide a more accurate estimate of the property’s value.

Comparing nearby homes to the subject property is essential in determining market value. A CMA will typically include data on the most recent sales of similar homes in the area, pending sales, and current homes on the market.

A CMA is a valuable tool for buyers and sellers alike. Buyers can use it to determine if they are getting a fair price for the home they are interested in, while sellers can use it to ensure their asking price is appropriate.

The accuracy of a competitive market analysis often comes down to the skill of the real estate agent who completes it. Many agents are excellent at determining market values, while others are not.

Final Thoughts on Property Values

Consumers must understand the different types of real estate values. Using the wrong data can often lead to making critical mistakes.