How Much Is Your Home Worth?

What's Your Property Worth?

Home valuation is the key to making informed financial decisions whether you’re preparing to sell, considering a refinance, or simply want to understand your home equity. Knowing your property’s market position gives you a clear edge in planning your next move.


Our valuation tool goes beyond basic online estimates by providing local, expert-driven insights. For the most accurate pricing, connect with Adam Kelley for a personalized Comparative Market Analysis or a full professional appraisal.

What is a Home Valuation?

A home valuation is the process of determining a property's current market value. It plays a vital role in real estate transactions by helping prevent over-borrowing and financial risk. When applying for a mortgage, the home serves as collateral. If the borrower defaults, the lender may need to sell the property to recover the loan. An accurate home valuation protects the lender’s interest and ensures the property’s value aligns with the loan amount.

How Is Your Home’s Value Determined?

Your home's value is assessed through a combination of key factors, including location, square footage, age, condition, and any updates or renovations. Recent sales of similar homes in your area also play a major role in setting a fair market price. In addition, broader market forces such as buyer demand, inventory levels, and neighborhood trends are factored in. Because the market is always evolving, your home valuation is dynamic and adjusts with real-time conditions.

How Reliable Are Online Home Valuations?

Online valuations offer a helpful starting point and give a general sense of your home’s value. But they often miss details like recent upgrades, unique features, or neighborhood-specific influences that affect pricing. These tools rely on broad data and can’t account for your home’s character or current buyer perception. For the most precise value, schedule a personalized assessment with Adam Kelley.

How Is a Valuation Performed?

Comparative Market Analysis

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a tool real estate agents use to estimate a home’s market value by reviewing recently sold properties in the same area. Agents identify comparable homes similar in size, condition, and location and analyze how they differ from the subject property. Typically, three nearby sales are selected and adjusted based on features, upgrades, or condition to reflect what the subject home would likely sell for in the current market. This approach provides a practical, data-driven estimate that reflects true buyer behavior.

Based on a Professional’s Opinion

An appraisal is a formal, unbiased evaluation of a home’s value conducted by a licensed appraiser. It’s commonly required by lenders for mortgages and refinances. The cost typically up to $500 is paid by the homeowner. The appraiser conducts a detailed inspection of the home’s interior and exterior, comparing it to recent sales of similar properties. They then prepare a full report that includes property photos, sketches, maps, and explanations of how the value was determined. This process provides a reliable, lender-accepted valuation.

Why Is a Valuation Important?

01

Refinancing

Lenders determine how much you can borrow based on your home’s current market value. Typically, you may qualify to borrow between 75% and 96.5% of your home’s worth. Knowing this value helps calculate your available equity. The more equity you have, the better refinancing terms and interest rates you’re likely to receive.

 

02

Home Improvements

Planning renovations to boost your home’s resale value? A valuation helps ensure you don’t over-improve for your market. If your home is already near the top price range for the area, excessive upgrades might not yield a return. A proper valuation shows how your property compares to others nearby guiding smarter improvement choices.

03

Qualifying For Credit

If you’re looking to access funds for personal or home-related needs, knowing your home’s value is an important first step. A professional home valuation helps determine how much equity you have available, which is a key factor many lenders consider when reviewing applications. This can make the qualification process smoother and more transparent.

04

Planning

Understanding your home’s value isn’t just about the present, it’s about being prepared for what’s ahead. Life can bring unexpected changes, like a career shift or the need to relocate. When you know how much equity you’ve built, you can make timely, confident decisions that align with your personal goals and financial planning.