Friday, May 31, 2013

Fair Market vs. Appraised Value


Some real estate buyers can confuse the fair market value of a property with its appraisal value. However, the two terms are not synonymous. Basically, the fair market value of a property is defined as the highest price a buyer will pay and the lowest amount a seller will receive for a piece of real estate that neither party is obligated to buy or sell. Area demand for real estate also factors into the equation. On the other hand, appraisal value concerns the value of a home as it relates to square footage, condition, and age. In fact the appraisal value of a home is an important aspect of real estate financing as it determines how much a buyer can borrow and if he'll also need to buy private mortgage insurance for the real estate. That's because the appraisal value also determines the loan-to-value ratio or LTV. If the LTV is more than 80%, the borrower will need to buy the insurance. Otherwise, he can forego the coverage. A good lending company can clear up any confusion you may have about values and costs too.

Mike Ervin
Senior Mortgage Banker
NMLS # 282715
Office: 650-735-5261
Cell: 650-766-8500
mike@mikeervin.com

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