Determining Fair Market Value is an eternal struggle and major balancing act. That’s because buyers want a house to appraise on the low side—to keep the purchase price down. While sellers want the same Port Angeles house to appraise on the high side—to make the sale price higher. And then you’ve got the owners of the Port Angeles house—who also want the appraisal to be on the low side, in order to keep the property taxes down.

So with all these different agendas and points of view, how is the fair market value of a real estate property actually determined?

Once a year, your county sends all area homeowners official notices that put a dollar value on their property. And property taxes are based on those dollar values. But before those notices get sent out, a long, detailed process usually takes place. First, the land is valued as if it’s vacant—an empty lot, in other words. Then any improvements are described and measured. Improvements consist of the house and any other structures, pools, sheds, garages, and so forth. Next, most counties check the Marshall Valuation Service Cost Guide. It’s a standardized nationwide guide for determining the value of the cost per square foot to build a building that fits the description of the improved property. Next, if the Port Angeles house isn’t brand new, the replacement cost is considered, as well as depreciation; the year the house was constructed and the condition of the property are factors here. Appraisers then must take the critical step of comparing the value of the house with recent selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood. At this point, the appraisal might stand “as is”—or it might be adjusted upward or downward.

Real Estate Market Value is a theory, in other words—not an unchanging fact.

In a perfect world, you have to have a willing buyer and a willing seller. Neither is under duress. Both are in a position to maximize gain and are trying to do this. But in the real world, things are rarely that simple and equally balanced. Which is why people feel differently about the appraisal value of a Port Angeles house. It really depends how strong their position is as a buyer or seller.

Does the local Port Angeles economy come into it at all? You bet it does.

Ask a successful Port Angeles Realtor about that! He or she will tell you they’ve noticed that the Olympic Peninsula's fast-growing economy is attracting people from other areas who consider real estate here in Port Angeles WA. a bargain. That helps fuel increases in property values.

So—Now you know where that Grand Total comes from.

You’re armed with the information you need to make a better house-buying decision. For instance, you can understand how two virtually identical houses that are in two different neighborhoods could be very far apart in price and appraised value. And why your choice of the right house in the right neighborhood could be worth a not-so-small fortune to you right now—and years down the road.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, current homes for sale, property values, foreclosures, short sales, relocating information, …..Really….. Providing everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate ….Please visit my website at:  http://port-angeles-real-estate.com

Please feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me… I can be reached on my cell at: 360-809-3064 or by email at steveedwards@olypen.com

I know your time is valuable and I’ll make every effort to respond to you within the hour….

As always, your privacy is – “100% guaranteed”.

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards