Validate your home's value with an appraisal

Whether it's Madison real estate you're selling, a thatched hut in Timbuktu, or Austin TX real estate, the same principle applies: The person that buys your home is going to have concerns about the asking price. That's just the plain truth -- like it or not. Can you blame them? It is the largest financial investment they've ever made.

There is nothing more reassuring to a buyer than an impartial professional certifying your home's value.
Because Madison real estate involves such a large financial commitment, sellers can boost their home's odds of selling by getting the professional opinion of a professional real estate appraiser. Appraisers are third party experts, in effect arbitrators who don't have a vested interest in the transaction. What they are certified to do is provide an unbiased estimate of the value of the home. By getting an appraisal in advance you ensure that you get top dollar for your home because of what that unbiased opinion of value does for the buyer's confidence that the home is worth what you're asking.

During the inspection of the home, the real estate appraiser judges how sound the construction of the home is, the condition of the total property, and how dated (or outdated) the home may be compared to other homes that have sold. They compile data on the property as a whole by taking observations and searching public records for the details of other properties, past sales and leases, and any other transactions.

Discuss in advance with the appraiser for a transfer of the appraisal to the new purchaser.
The home appraisal is a valuable asset that is part of the home, but it loses its value to the seller as soon as the home is sold. Why not let the borrower use your appraisal? It can save the buyer $300 to $700, which, in turn, can help you get more money during negotiations. In addition to helping reassure the buyer of your home's worth, you can effectively get the price of the initial appraisal back by simply transferring it to the buyer. In addition to saving the buyer money, you also guarantee that your home will appraise, because if the borrower hires their own appraiser, there's a risk of that appraiser will think the home isn't worth what they're paying.

For a small charge in the grand scheme of things, usually $25 to $50, you can have the appraisal transferred to the new owner. In a real estate market with buyers as fickle as they are, sellers must use every legitimate method they can arrange. Getting an advance home appraisal is a good, inexpensive incentive you can throw into the deal to show your good faith and cooperative spirit as a seller. It not only increases the buyer's confidence in you, but it might put a few thousand extra dollars in your bank account as well!