What is a property actually worth? The answer may vary depending on if you were to ask a real estate agent or a valuer working for a mortgage lender. It’s important to understand that appraisals and valuations are distinctly different types of assessments, employed for specific reasons.
Here’s a list of factors that may be considered when either appraising and/or valuing a property:
Location
The location of a property is one of the most significant factors in determining its value. Desirable areas, such as those close to the central business district, schools, public transportation, and amenities, tend to have higher property values.
Property type
The type of property, whether it's a house, apartment, townhouse, or vacant land, affects its value. Different property types have different market dynamics.
Size and layout
The size and layout of the property, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as the overall living space, impact its value.
Condition
The condition of the property, including its age, maintenance, and any renovations or upgrades, can influence its worth.
Comparable sales
Real estate agents and appraisers often use comparable sales to determine a property's value. They look at recent sales of similar properties in the same area to gauge market value.
Market conditions
The state of the real estate market at the time of valuation can greatly affect a property's value. In a seller's market, prices tend to be higher, while in a buyer's market, prices may be lower.
Economic factors
Economic factors, such as interest rates, employment rates, and local economic conditions, can influence property values.
Zoning and regulations
Local zoning laws and regulations can affect what you can do with a property, which in turn can impact its value.
Infrastructure and development
Upcoming infrastructure projects, such as new highways, public transportation, or commercial developments, can significantly impact property values.
Environmental factors
The presence of natural features like waterfronts or parklands can increase a property's value, while environmental concerns or hazards can decrease it.
Rental income
For investment properties, the potential rental income plays a crucial role in determining a property's worth
What is a valuation?
A valuation for a mortgage lender is a formal assessment of a property’s value for the purpose of securing a home loan. Because a property valuation is used as part of a legally binding contract, it’s important that it’s an accurate reflection of the property’s value, rather than a broad estimate of what it could sell for.
Property valuers are more likely to base their assessment on the facts regarding the property, and are less likely to be swayed by emotional considerations. A valuer will look at the age, size and location of a property, along with its number of bedrooms, bathrooms and car spaces. A valuer may also consider whether property values in the local area are rising or falling, and the local area’s zoning.
If enough information is available about the property and the local area, a valuer may be able to make their assessment without ever leaving their desk. Even when conducting a valuation in person, a valuer is less likely to be concerned about the presentation of the property (e.g. painting, fixtures and gardens), though they’ll want to know about the property’s overall condition and if there are any structural issues.
Why are appraisals and valuations so different?
Given that real estate agents and valuers have different goals in mind when conducting property appraisals and valuations, they tend to come up with different results. Valuations are traditionally considered more conservative than appraisals, as banks are chiefly concerned with how the property can serve as security for a mortgage, rather than what a buyer might pay for a home or investment property. It’s why comparing a home appraisal versus its market value may deliver noticeable differences in prices.
Sometimes a buyer who offers to purchase a property at a high price will have their purchase halted if the bank’s valuation comes back much lower than what the buyer has agreed to pay the seller, as this may increase the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of the buyer’s mortgage. To complete the purchase, the borrower may need to come up with extra money as a deposit, or cover the costs of Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) to cover their lender’s financial risk in case the borrower defaults on their home loan repayments.
Applying for a free property report before you buy or sell a property could be a sensible way to discover a benchmark for a property’s value, and provide an understanding on property value versus market value. While the estimate may not be exactly the same as the appraisal from an agent or a bank valuation, it can help you set your own expectations when it comes to buying or selling a property, or applying for a mortgage.