Using the Internet to Appraise Your Bethlehem Home

In the past you could simply have an appraisal done by comparing the price of homes that sold down the street. This is no longer the case due to the abundance of foreclosures, and houses remaining on the market for so long. Now homeowners and buyers are using real estate websites for appraisals. These websites allow users to the address and provides a price or range of prices that the home is currently worth.

Of course it is important to remember that these websites are only providing an estimate. The estimates given are not 100% accurate. The websites determine property values by collecting information from public records, Multiple Listing Services, and recent sales of comparables nearby. This information is then processed through an automated valuation model (AVM) to calculate the value of the home. The AVM is unable to take into account upgrades in a home or the size of a room. This is what causes the discrepancies in the estimates. Another problem with the AVM is that the data collected is usually just wrong.

Below are websites that can be used for online appraisals.

1. Zillow.com offers home value estimates (accuracy varies by market) and "owner's estimates" calculated after an owner has added information about their property.
2. Cyberhomes.com allows users to get a free home-value estimate, and browse for-sale and distressed listings.
3. Eppraisal.com provides home value estimates alongside projected values and the home value estimates provided by Zillow.com and Cyerbhomes.com.

It is important to remember that if you want to know the exact value of your home, you should definitely seek the assistance of a real estate agent. These websites will provide you the estimated value of your home, but it is still important to surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals.

Don Wenner has the wisdom and expertise needed to evaluate the value of your home. Contact Don today and check out his Lehigh Valley website to view the best properties in Bethlehem, Easton, or Allentown.