How to determine your home's worth

While sellers differ in the reasons they want to sell a home, they all have one thing in common - the goal is to sell their home, fast and for best price possible. Before you list your Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County or Edmonton-area home for sale you have to establish the price. Prior to this step, you need to have some idea of what the house is worth. This does not mean the amount you bought it for or how much you need or how you have since upgraded your home. Rather, the worth of your home really depends upon the price a buyer will pay given the current market. This translates into the "market value" of a home.

When it comes to real estate, "Market value is the price at which a particular house, in its current condition, will sell within 30 to 90 days."

Three criteria make up this definition: 

  1. Specific house and location
  2. Present condition
  3. 30 to 90 days

To determine a home's value, most people use an appraisal or comparative market evaluations.  [Read my blog article "What is a Market Evaluation?"]


A comparative market evaluation (CMA) or opinion of value, performed by a REALTOR®, is a usually free, informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties.  [Call me for your free market evaluation.]

Specific house and location


For example, a house in St. Albert could be worth $375,000. But if the exact same home was located in Edmonton, it may only be valued at $300,000. If you cross a street from Westmount to Inglewood, the difference for the same home, same size lot can be $50,000.


Present condition


Some people determine market value by subtracting the amount of estimated fix-up costs from the selling price. This may not be the best way to evaluate a home. A home in good condition sells for $280,000. A home you may like needs $4,000 in repairs. This may not equate to a market value of $276,000 ($280,000 - $4,000). Why not? Buyers who buy fixer-up or TLC homes want to be well compensated for having to do the work.

Homes that require work take longer to sell. To attract more buyers, the price may have to be reduced beyond the cost of the repairs. It is all a matter of how much someone is willing to pay for these repairs. Additionally, determining market value for a home that needs some work, is not an exact science. Some REALTORS® suggest subtracting approximately two to three times the amount of the fix-up costs.  Additionally, homes that need work can leave a buyer with a negative overall impression of the condition of the home.  See also Showing tips.  [Read my blog articles on this topic:  "Thinking of Selling Your Home in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain or Parkland County?", "Should You Renovate Before You Sell?", "Home Staging Starts With De-cluttering", "Be Your Own Home Stager".]

30 to 90 days

In most markets, a home will sell within 30 to 90 days. If it does not, the price is probably too high. Even homes that are "perfect" will not sell in this time if the price is too high.

On the opposite end: if a house sells within a short period, it could be a hot market. When there are housing shortages or fear of rising prices, many homes are purchased within a matter of days of the listing.

Professional opinion is essential

The real estate market is always changing. This includes the entire picture and particular areas as well. Many factors determine the value of a home including type of market, market conditions, recent sales in your neighbourhood, condition of the home, your urgency to sell, financing, additional items (such as redecorating allowance, appliances), and outstanding repairs.

In a buyers' market, the supply of homes on the market exceeds demand. In this case, buyers take their time in choosing a home, and when they negotiate, they have more leverage.

In a sellers' market, the number of potential buyers exceeds the supply of homes on the market. Prices may be higher or perhaps climbing. Buying decisions must be made quickly. Conditional offers may be rejected.

In a balanced market, the number of homes on the market is roughly equal to the demand. Homes sell within a reasonable time period. Prices generally remain stable. There is less tension among buyers and sellers. There is a reasonable number of homes to choose from.

Price is very important when you are selling your home. A home that is overpriced could remain on the market too long. Price reductions may be necessary to bring it in line with current pricing. In the end, the seller may receive less than if the home was priced correctly in the first place.

A REALTOR® can help you establish a fair "worth". REALTORS® are trained professionals who have certification in numerous areas including real estate law, economics, marketing and professional practice. Usually, the price of a home is set slightly higher than the worth, to give a little "bargaining room."

Also keep in mind that when you list with a professional REALTOR®, you are entering a legal relationship. When you sign the listing agreement, you give your agent the authority to put your home on the market for a specified time. If the house sells during this time, you must pay the REALTOR® the agreed commission. Additionally, if the homes sells shortly after the specified period in the contract, due to the REALTOR®'s efforts, you must also pay the commission.
