How do I know what my home is worth?

In today's changing market, determining the value of your home for sale can be a challenge. Yet pricing a home right can make the crucial difference in a successful sale.

Unfortunately, many home sellers fall into the trap of pricing their home based on these common misconceptions:

"I paid this much for my home, it must be worth more now" - The fact is, markets change. Your home could be worth a lot more, or a lot less, than when you purchased it.

"I made so many improvements" - Wrong! Many homes are over-improved for their size or neighborhood. Some improvements add value, while others are a matter of taste and style.

"It would take this much to replace it" - Replacement value is not a valid measure of existing property value, just as a used car isn't worth the same as a new one, no matter how well-maintained.

"I need this much for my home" - The market isn't concerned with how much you need to get for your home, only what the home is worth now.

The truth is that your home is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. The trick is determining what that is and finding that person.

The first step in pricing your home right is getting a Comparative Market Evaluation. This Evaluation is a comparison of other properties in your area that have recently sold. You will be able to compare size, age, condition, amenities and other variables with your own home. You will also see the listing price and sale price of these properties.

This information can be extremely valuable in pricing your own home. However, you'll also want to find out the total inventory of homes similar to yours and how long they remain on the market. The Bob Toews Team can help you with this important information.