When you buy a house or refinance your present home, your lender will ask you to pay for an appraisal to help ensure that the sales price and mortgage amount is consistent with the property's market value. The appraiser will look for "three caballeros" or three "comparables" -- homes that are very similar to the one you are buying -- and will make adjustments to reflect the differences between the properties.

Housing patterns tend to be homogenous, meaning that homes worth $300,000 are usually located in $300,000 neighborhoods. It is important for properties to be within the general pricing patterns of their neighborhoods because over-valued homes, even if they are exceptional, are sometimes difficult to sell at full market price.

This is not the only factor considered in determining the worth of a property, but it is an important one. The buyer or seller may view the property as a home or an investment, but lenders view it in a completely different way. To a lender, property means security in the event a borrower fails to repay a mortgage. Therefore, lenders must know real estate values in order to limit their risks.

	See All Tips In The "About Appraisals" Category >
	See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Linda & Ryan Lowe
RE/MAX Centre Realty
1375 Martin Street
State College, PA. 16803
800-860-6226 ext. 305/352
814-231-8200 ext. 305/352
Fax: 814-861-4615
Email: lindalowe@aol.com
ryanslowe@yahoo.com

Since Linda started selling real estate in 1988 she & her team have sold over 4000 properties and have given our buyers & sellers NUMBER ONE SERVICE!! This kind of experience cannot be found in books or classrooms. It comes only from meeting the needs and fulfilling the demands of hundreds of clients. Linda Lowe knows the techniques and methods that get results. She is continually looking for ways to increase her knowledge and better serve you. Linda's clients enjoy the benefits of a service-centered philosophy that puts top priority on meticulous attention to every detail. Combined with Linda Lowe's Team, you are assured a fast response to every question and concern and a smooth hassle-free transaction. License# RS167590L