Many homeowners assume that once a buyer agrees to a price, the transaction will move smoothly toward closing. However, when a buyer is using financing, the lender requires an independent appraisal to confirm that the property supports the contract price. If the home does not appraise at or near the

  Many homeowners focus on what other homes are currently listed for when deciding how to price their property. While active listings are important when evaluating competition, appraisers determine value using a different set of data. Understanding how appraisers evaluate a home can prevent costly s

Many homeowners believe that once a property is listed with attractive photos and placed in the MLS, buyers will automatically find it. While professional photography and MLS placement are essential, they represent only the baseline level of exposure in today’s real estate market.  In reality, most