Find The Value of My Home
Think you’re ready to sell your home and buy a new one? How exciting! Here at caseysellsva.com, we want you to be fully prepared to sell your home for top dollar then find you the perfect new home at an awesome price! From a top-notch lender in the private sector, a Mortgage Banker or the Veterans Administration, requirements may vary for selling or buying a home. caseysellsva.com is here to help you! We’d like to remind you that as a homeowner one of the best find my home value tools you can use is at your local Tax Appraisal District! caseysellsva.com/find-my-home-value/ will help take some of your worry away!
caseysellsva.com is happy to help make finding your home value easier! Here are some good sites for you to use:
· Redfin Home Value Estimator: a calculation of the market value of an individual home. The Redfin Estimate is highly accurate, with a median error rate of 1.73% for on-market homes. Redfin has complete and direct access to multiple listing services (MLSs), the databases that real estate agents use to list properties.
· homelight.com/home-value-estimator: Your home value can depend on how it’s sold. Get a Real World Valuation in less than 2 minutes.
· https://www.appraiserstoday.com: Get Matched & Get Quotes From Real Estate Appraisers. Requesting information takes only a few minutes. Professionals contact you quickly to find out more about your need. Companies in our network provide free, no obligation cost estimates.
Let’s talk about Home Pre-Inspection!
Performing a home sellers “Pre-Inspection” isn’t just a negotiating strategy, it’s an indication of honesty! This process is a definite for a seller to find my home value! Should a potential buyer choose to pay for an independent inspection, your willingness to provide a self-completed inspection will show that you’ve been involved in caring for your home and that there’s nothing to hide! This will also help you ensure what repairs, if any, are a “must be completed” in order to reach your selling price or give you ample opportunity to research repair cost should you decide to pass a repair to the buyer. This pre-inspection would then allow you to have a list of recommendations for potential buyers. If, for example, you know your HVAC is 8-10 years old but has no issues, you could point this out, but possibly list one or two of the better rated HVAC Specialist in your area. A Pre-inspection will allow you to input your information into sites such as https://www.zillow.com, https://www.homelight.com/homevalue or other similar sites that will give you an online appraisal to if you are ready to find my home value. Per https://virginia-home-inspection.com/frequently-asked-questions/ “It’s very helpful for the buyer to be present so the Inspectors can explain what he/she is looking at and answer any questions you may have. This is also a really great way for a buyer to learn about their potential new home.”
Military Veterans: VA Minimum Property Requirements Items.
We know you have multiple financing options for buying a home, and as a Veteran one of the best available is a V.A. home loan. According to the website https://homeguides.sfgate.com/inspection-requirements-va-mortgage-66633.html; “VA minimum property requirements (MPR)are designed for under-construction and new construction homes as well as existing properties. Appraisers conducting VA-specific home appraisals must evaluate items such as a home’s heating and cooling systems. VA MPRs also require home appraisers to look at a home’s water supply system, as well as its hot water production capabilities and sewer disposal system. The appraisers must look at roofs and ventilation systems, and even check for termites, though appraisals aren’t intended to replace home inspections.
Independent Home Inspections: The VA wants to ensure that eligible military veterans using its mortgages are buying homes in move-in ready condition and uses appraisals to do so. You won’t need to have an inspection conducted on a home you want to buy using a VA-guaranteed mortgage but having an independent home inspection conducted on any home you’re buying is frequently recommended. Home inspections are much more thorough than appraisals and may turn up problems hidden behind walls and beneath floorboards, for example.
VA Home Appraisals: Generally, any deficiencies identified in a VA home appraisal must be corrected prior to sale closing. The VA also limits the amount of money that approved appraisers can charge to conduct a home appraisal. Homes commonly fail VA appraisals for issues such as broken windows, inadequate electrical and heating systems, and termite and pest control problems.”
Let me know if you have Veterans Home Loan Options so we may ensure we utilize the right site to find my home value for you! And Thank you for your Service!
Home Warranties; Yes or No?
Information on Home Warranties provided by https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/is-a-home-warranty-worth-the-money offers good insight as to the ins and outs of Home warranties. “They are especially common in real estate transactions. A home warranty can help sell a house faster and for a higher price because it provides the buyer with protection against the unknown. When buying a newly constructed home, you probably don’t need a home warranty. Many states require the builder to repair defects in materials and workmanship for a few years – typically two to 10 years. And the new appliances in those new homes are almost always protected by one-year warranties. Existing houses, however, may have considerable wear and tear, and tend to be equipped with older appliances. If the house is filled with over-the-hill systems that may require repair instead of replacement, a home warranty may make sense. Homeowners who think they’ll be able to upgrade appliances to newer and better models with coverage from a home warranty are usually disappointed to learn that’s outside their policy’s reach. Ask a lot of questions before you sign up and confirm all of the answers you receive in writing. Everything should be detailed in the contract. A home warranty protects you against components that fail in the future. You may have to pay a deductible (service call fee) when you have a problem. If you have a home inspection and you know your furnace or another major component is old, you may be better off buying a warranty before your closing. We recommend looking closely at what is NOT covered in warranty company policies as you compare prices.” Remember, if you search for find my home value, this entry may well help increase that value!
caseysellsva.com has compiled a “Do It Yourself” Checklist to help you cover your pre-inspection needs! Here are some key factors to check.
Structural features: Look closely for any issues with the home foundation, missing or damaged shingles on the roof, condition of the walls and floor in the garage. Is there safe access to the attic or crawl space? Is there damaged or missing siding? Are there issues with windows or floors or doors? If there is a fireplace, is it in good condition, from the basin all the way up to the chimney cap?
Systems: A professional home inspector will check your home’s gas, and heating and cooling. This is a decision of cost you may choose to utilize if you are not comfortable with other than a general look/listen self-inspection.
Appliances: You need to ensure any appliance staying in the home is in good working order: stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, garage door/opener, and water heater.
Access points:
Make certain there is at least 4 to 6 inches of clear space around the perimeter of your home’s exterior, and around the slab or other base the air conditioning system is placed on.
Clean or replace the furnace filter and ensure clear access.
Remove any storage from the attic, extra hall closets or basement.
Closets that provide access points to your crawl space need to be organized to ensure clear, safe access.
Access area to the attic or a basement must be clean and organized, with any steps/ladders in good repair.
Test functionality:
Ensure all windows freely open and close and verify all locks, screens and seals are in working good condition.
Flush all toilets and run all faucets to ensure proper drainage and that there is no leakage.
Turn on all ceiling or bathroom fans and/or heaters; listen for squeals, metallic rubbing or other odd sounds and watch for power on/off delays.
Turn all light switches off and on; note any delays in on/off position.
Open and close garage doors manually and with the remote. Don’t forget to test the reverse safety setting.
Confirm all weather stripping on doors has no missing or damaged areas.
Visually inspect drainage from downspouts to ensure they properly diverting water away from the home. Also inspect gutters for blockage and/or disrepair.
Be sure heating ducts are properly connected and that fan ducts are properly venting.
Basic safety and/or security:
Ensure there are new batteries in smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors and that they are placed to optimize the safety actions they are designed for.
Have a recently purchased or inspected fire extinguisher available.
Ensure gas lines and chimney entry points are properly capped.
Exterminate the property to ensure there are no bugs or rodents.
Make necessary repairs to the property:
Replace light bulbs, re-caulk bathtubs, stand-alone showers and sinks.
Repair any water damage in bathrooms, kitchen and laundry areas and remove any drain clogs.
Update or replace any dingy or broken tiles and grout, carpets, wood/vinyl floors.
Replace damaged or missing insulation in the attic and crawl space.
Complete exterior home improvements:
Ensure all debris is off the roof (You may need to pressure wash the roof.)
Trim trees away from the roof line and visually inspect soffit and gutters for necessary repairs.
Clear debris from around the A/C compressor, downspout drainage, and foundation vents.
Ensure any water runoff slopes away from the home.
A fully completed checklist of the above items will help ensure you know the value of your home!
If an independent inspection is requested/required here are some last-minute preparations to ensure you’re ready:
· All utilities must be turned on!
· Leave your home as clean, tidy and organized as possible, to include the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and oven.
· Plan to leave your home an hour early and be sure to take your pets with you if they cannot be safely kenneled.
· Identify and leave all remotes. (Garage door, ceiling fans, lights, etc.)
· Identify and leave keys for access gates, entry/exit doors, outside buildings, etc.
· Ensure the pilot light for gas-powered appliances or heat systems is on.
· Remove all laundry from the washer and dryer and the dishes from the sink/dishwasher.
· Identify the location of a well or septic tank if applicable.
· Notate and leave copies of any paperwork for maintenance, repairs and/or insurance claims.
If you’d like to show a potential buyer how you researched find my home value, printout a list of your web-searches, references and a copy of any independent appraisals that were conducted.
Did you know that unlike some states, Virginia does not require that sellers involve a lawyer in the house-selling transaction? According to the website https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/research/virginia/selling-a-house-in-virginia, Virginia’s real estate laws and practices are unique in some respects. Virginia seller disclosure requirements are more limited than in many states, which have extensive disclosure requirements and legally required forms requiring sellers to provide details on defects in the property. Virginia’s main disclosure statute (Code of Virginia Section 55-519) actually requires sellers to disclose very little, but to basically alert buyers that it is their responsibility to check out the condition of the property for sale.
There are, however, a few affirmative disclosures some sellers must make:
· If the property is in “any locality in which a military air installation is located” (Code of VA 55-519.1)
· If there is defective drywall (Code of VA 55-519.2)
· If the property was once the site of a meth lab and has not been cleaned up according to state guidelines (Code of VA 55-519.4).
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations has forms sellers must use for these disclosures:
Military Air Installation Disclosure/Defective Drywall Disclosure Statement/Disclosure Statement for Residential Property Previously Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine.)
· Also, home sellers must disclose if the property has a septic system needing repair but the owner has obtained a waiver from the Virginia Board of Health (Code of VA 32.1-164.1:1). And, sellers “may” disclose the fact their property is in “a designated tourism activity zone” (Code of VA 55-519.3).
· Certain types of sales (such as newly built homes) are exempt from state disclosure rules. (Code of VA 55-518.)
· In addition, if your house was built before 1978, you must comply with Federal Title X disclosures regarding lead-based paint and hazards. See the lead disclosure section of the EPA’s website for details.
Now you know a few basics for selling your home in Virginia! So, whether you’re ready to sell, or just weighing your options caseysellsva.com, is here for you! I am an expert Realtor serving the areas of Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, Manassas, Woodbridge, Chantilly, Centreville, South Riding and the surrounding areas. On my website, caseysellsva.com, you will find important information to assist in your decision by clicking the links BUYING, SELLING, COMMUNITIES and MORTGAGE INFO! Please feel free to contact me at 703-662-3850 or ckwitkin@samsonproperties.net and I will be happy to help you with all your real estate needs!
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