Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar!
Here is how we arrive at "Top Dollar"!
Basic Guidelines for Selecting Comparable(s)
A. When selecting sold comparable(s), use the following guidelines:
1) The Valuator must research up to 6 months from the date of the inspection.
2) The best comparable(s) available within this time frame must be considered.
3) If any of the comparable(s) falls outside of 6 months (not to exceed one year) a valid
written explanation must be in the comment section.
4) As an Example of selecting the best comparable would be: to consider a comparable
on the subject’s street that had sold eight months from the date of the inspection.)
B. The Proximity between the subject property and any comparable(s) must be within:
1) Urban: within 1 mile
2) Suburban: within 5 miles
3) Rural: up to 20 miles.
When the proximity falls out of the range, a valid written explanation must be noted in a
‘comment’ field.
C. When selecting any comparable(s):
1) They must be bracketed to the subject’s characteristics i.e.., proximity, age, gross living
area (GLA), condition, room count, and lot size.
2) Using the selected sold comps that are bracketed will allow you to arrive at the subject’s
estimate of fair market value.
D. Below grade square footage is not to be included in the gross living area (GLA).
E. Marketing time is important to determining value.
1) For those Valuations that require days on market (DOM) information, it must be
provided.
2) Indicate accurate original listing prices and current listing prices when required.
F. When selecting gross living area (GLA) follow these guidelines:
1) The Valuator should not use sold comparable(s) that have a GLA variance of less than
80% or greater than 120% to the subject data without a valid written explanation on the
report.
2) Listings comparable(s) that have a GLA variance of less than 70% or greater than 130%
should not be used without a valid written explanation.
C. Subject’s data must be verified with county/tax records. When this is not available, a written
notation as to the source of the data must be stated in a ‘comment’ field.
D. The subject’s property type (legal use) must be identified via tax records. When the property
type (legal use) is incorrect, the source of the correct information must be stated on the report.
E. The subject property condition must be described on all reports.
F. Condition and location of the subject property shall be based on the following grades:
• E = Excellent-New construction / updated (modernized)
• G = Good- maintained / no physical depreciation or no noted deferred maintenance
• A= Average- minor cosmetics/functional but lacks recent updates
• F = Fair-Exhibits deferred maintenance / run down
• P = Poor-Only used when dwelling is uninhabitable
These are some of the steps we use to arrive at "Top Dollar". Remember never use the "assessors value" to sell your home. I usually recommend at least 3 valuations from different companies to arrive at your "List Price". If you do not get an offer within 30 days, it usually because of overpricing, and I usually recommend price reductions. If you would like me to give you an market evaluation for your home please fill out the information below, and please include a "best time to meet at your home"!
