Buying or selling a home is about much more than simple appearances. This news may come as a bit of a shock for sellers who often hear “presentation is everything.”
A stunning exterior and even more breathtaking interior are only the beginning for everyone involved. Real estate is becoming an increasingly valuable financial asset, which means a great deal of caution is in order before making a decision.
That’s why it’s more critical than ever to fully understand the true market value of a house. How do you accurately check the market Value of a house? Today, we will explore that topic in great detail.
Searching for your perfect home in Toronto’s West End? You may just find it while browsing our latest listings.
Why Home Value Matters: Buyer’s Edition
Hardly anyone wants to talk about the numbers, and we empathize. Math was never our favourite subject, either. However, we can’t help but appreciate its impact on what we love most — helping people buy and sell homes in Toronto’s West End!
As a buyer, understanding the true market value of real estate can empower you to get the best possible home at the best possible value. Here’s why:
Searching for a house is an emotional and deeply personal experience. When you understand the data and the nuances of the current market, it’s much easier to stay grounded.
An objective understanding of the property’s actual value is essential to ensure you have a competitive offer. Note: This is also why it’s imperative to work with an experienced buying agent to guide you through all of the ins and outs and negotiate on your behalf.
Planning to buy and wondering what Toronto neighbourhood is right for you? A few of our community spotlights might help you decide:
- Where Is the Junction Triangle in Toronto?
- Bloor West Village: The Heart of Toronto’s West End
- Baby Point, Toronto: A Neighbourhood Spotlight
Why Home Value Matters: The Seller’s Perspective
Over-pricing is a huge mistake when selling a home. Strategic under-pricing can be a helpful strategy to generate a bidding war. For that to happen, you need a solid understanding of your home’s true value as your benchmark.
Your listing will generate the most interest when your price point aligns with the current market.
How Much Is My House Worth?
It’s a tall order for a seller who has lived in a house for many years and created a lifetime of priceless memories to assign a monetary value. “What is my house worth, where I raised my children and watched them grow? $800 trillion dollars. Thanks for asking!”
If you really want to sell your home, you have to be objective. Its monetary value is determined by its location, square footage, and the current market conditions at the time of listing.
Emotional or sentimental value plays no role. Instead, it’s all about what a buyer is realistically likely to pay. This number is not static and can change quite quickly based on Toronto’s fast-moving market.
How do we evaluate a property? Our analysis begins by identifying recently sold homes that are comparable to yours and located in your area. From there, we adjust for the finer details, such as the quality of the finishes, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and whether or not the basement is finished.
The location also plays a role, such as the catchment area for schools, and even whether or not parking is available. This is why Toronto real estate values can vary from one street to the next!
Do you want an accurate, unbiased assessment of your home’s value? Start by booking a complimentary home evaluation with our experienced real estate team.
How to Calculate Your Home’s Value
Since it’s difficult for a homeowner (or soon-to-be homeowner) to objectively estimate a property’s value, the best thing to do is bring in a professional.
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) brings a wealth of valuable insight to the table, including:
- Years’ worth of data about real estate trends
- Knowledge of what is selling where and for how much
- Insight into what buyers are actively searching for right now
- Whether it’s currently a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, and how to fully capitalize on any advantages you may have
- A nuanced understanding of micro-niches and what is happening from one neighbourhood to the next
Some homeowners confuse a Realtor® evaluation with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), believing that they are one and the same. However, the final assessment can be very different:
- A CMA helps you determine market value, as in what your house might sell for.
- The MPAC determines how much the homeowner will pay in property taxes. (These assessments are often outdated and lower than the actual value.)
Looking for more tips for a streamlined home purchase? You’ll find plenty of ideas and insight in the posts below:
- Buying Your First Home: A Guide to Toronto’s West End
- Our Guide to the Home Buying Process
- Is the First Home Savings Account Tax Deductible?
Taking a Balanced Approach
To a great extent, the value of a particular house is all relative. It’s not just because of the emotions involved with a real estate transaction. It’s that the market itself can fluctuate.
This is why it’s critical to focus on the long-term trends rather than short-term volatility. The longer you own your home, the more likely it is to increase in value.
In the long run, your home isn’t just a financial asset. It’s your sanctuary, a safe space to return to every day. If that home is also a place you love and are proud of, it really is a worthy investment.
Our West Toronto Realtors® are happy to guide you, whether you’re buying, selling or downsizing your home. Contact us today at 416-788-1823 or email kim@kimkehoe.com to take the first step.