Chris Farkas Bellingham Blog: November 2009

Market Value Basics

Market Value Basics

Setting the right price for a property is important whether you are planning to sell or buy a home. Only by knowing the right market value can you judge the right price for a home. Most people do not understand what market value is and end up selling their homes at a loss or paying too much when buying. If you wish to make an intelligent decision when buying or selling a property then it is crucial to fully understand what market value is.

The first thing to understand is that the assessed value of a home is not its market value. The assessed value is used by the tax authorities to calculate property taxes. Each municipality has different factors that drive the assessed value. The market value of the property is calculated by taking into consideration the state of the market, recent sales of similar property, current availability of similar property, and other conditions. These two values are completely unrelated and can be vastly different.

A Realtor or Appraiser has to factor in many things when determining market value. For example the neighborhood has less to do with assessed value than it does with market value. A good neighborhood means higher market value. The location of the property is equally important. The property is assessed based on things like proximity to business districts, highway, town center, and so on. Taking a line from the hotel industry, location is everything.

The next thing is the condition of a home. Newer or well-maintained homes have higher market value. Homes typically in need of repair have lower market value. The more repairs needed the lower the market value.

After all of the data is collected the home is compared with similar homes in close proximity. This comparison will include recently sold and on-market homes with a similar market value. Based on all this data the market value is calculated. In today’s market, values can change rapidly and it is best to reevaluate your price regularly.

Contact your Realtor for a market analysis of your property. This way you can compare the results for yourself. Quite often you will be given a range as to the market value. Your agent is the best resource you have available to you when determining a homes value. Whether you are buying or selling their professional advice and guidance is critical.

Chris Farkas

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5 commentsChris Farkas • November 28 2009 12:25PM

Craigs List Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Thanks for sharing this Judy. We can all benefit form this advice.

Via Judy Schneider (Exit Realty Associates):

Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Craigslist Rental Scams are not a new thing. This has been going on for a while. It has not been a common thing here in Whatcom County, WA, until now. This past week it has been happening more in Whatcom County, WA.

Homes that are listed for sale in Whatcom County, WA have been showing up on Craigslist as rentals. They are copying and pasting the pictures and attaching false contact information!

Please, if you are looking for rental Homes on Craigslist, Be Careful! Do not send any Personal information or money to anyone you can not meet in person! If it sounds to good to be true it is. Many people have sent hundreds of dollars in deposit and rent money. You should never rent any home without seeing it first. Sometimes the home has been rented to several people and it was never for rent in the first place. These people are then angry with no where to go!

You must be very careful. You do not know who you are contacting on Craigslist. You also have no idea if they are, who they say they are. Please, Everyone help to spread the word!

Real Estate agents check Craigslist and flag all listing of yours that get posted and report to the local police depatment.

Those renters that have been victims can do the same!

Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

                                         

                                          http://www.judyshouses.com

          Judy Schneider       http://judyschneider.blogspot.com/

          360-224-9047          http://twitter.com/judyshouses 

   Exit Logohttp://www.exite-listings.com/33279

http://www.exite-listings.com/33163            http://www.exite-listings.com/33315

http://www.exite-listings.com/30410

4 commentsChris Farkas • November 13 2009 07:45AM

Tax Credit Extension - Bellingham Homes For Sale

Last Friday President Barack Obama signed the “Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009” into law, extending the first-time homebuyer tax credit as well as certain jobless benefits at a time when the US unemployment rate has officially reached 10.2%.

With the first-time homebuyer tax credit originally scheduled to expire on Dec. 1st, 2009, HR 3548 now allows first-time buyers to claim 10% of the purchase price of their home, up to $8,000 for single or married taxpayers filing jointly, if they close on the purchase by midnight June 30th, 2010. Taxpayers must purchase or be locked into a contract to close before midnight on April 30th, 2010.

There is more good news that accompanies the extension. The credit is allowed for those with incomes up to $125,000 or $225,000 for taxpayers filing jointly. The credit reduces for those with incomes between $125,000 and $145,000 - or $225,000 and $245,000 if filing jointly. Anyone with an income higher than $145,000, $245,000 if filing jointly, cannot not receive credit.

Taxpayers who have lived in their home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years before closing on a new home may qualify for a reduced credit - $6,500 joint filers and $3,250 for those who file jointly. Other restrictions may apply so consult your tax professional.

Chris Farkas

Please watch my new TV Show on YouTube
Check out my TalkRealty Podcast
          

EXIT Realty Associates
Email List Of Homes
Bank Owned Homes
Stop Foreclosure
FSBO Assistance

 

View Sample Market Report

1 commentChris Farkas • November 13 2009 07:43AM