A lot of homeowners tell me they put off asking what their house is worth because they worried it would feel like a sales pitch, or that they would need to scrub every corner first. Neither is true. A home evaluation visit is a relaxed conversation and a walk through your home. Here is what actually happens when I come by, so you know what to expect.
Before I arrive
Most evaluations start with a short request through my home evaluation page or a quick phone call. I will ask a few basic questions: your address, the type of home, roughly when you are thinking of moving, and whether there have been any major updates. That lets me pull recent sales in your area before the visit, so our time together is useful.
You don't need to stage anything. Just make sure I can get into the main rooms, the basement and, if possible, the attic hatch and the mechanical room.
The walk-through
I usually like the homeowner to lead the tour. You know the house better than anyone, and the things you mention along the way often turn out to matter. As we walk, I am looking at:
- Layout and flow. How the rooms connect, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and how the space would work for different kinds of buyers.
- Condition and updates. Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows and roof all play a part. Dates matter, so if you know when the roof or windows were done, that's helpful.
- Systems. Heating type and age, electrical panel, plumbing and, for rural homes, the well and septic.
- The lot. Size, privacy, parking, outbuildings, views and any water frontage.
The questions I'll ask
A good evaluation is a two-way conversation. I'll usually ask:
- What do you love most about living here?
- What would you change if you were staying?
- What have you updated, and do you have receipts or permits?
- Are there any known issues, like past water in the basement?
- What is your timing, and what are you hoping to do next?
Your honest answers help me give you an honest number. They also help us plan, because the best strategy for someone moving in three months is different from someone thinking about next spring.
How the value is worked out
The heart of an evaluation is a comparative market analysis. I look at homes similar to yours that have recently sold nearby, as well as homes currently on the market and ones that didn't sell. Then I adjust for differences: one more bathroom, a bigger lot, an older furnace, a finished basement.
In Prince County, "nearby" can mean very different things. A comparable for a home in Summerside will usually be another Summerside home. For a country property near Kensington, we may need to look a little wider to find truly similar sales. Local knowledge matters here, because two homes ten minutes apart can appeal to completely different buyers.
What you receive
After the visit, I put together a price range with the comparable sales I used, so you can see the reasoning, not just a number. I'll also share notes on what could help your home show well, and what is probably not worth spending money on.
An evaluation is not the same as an appraisal. A lender's appraisal is a formal report by a licensed appraiser, usually ordered during a purchase or refinance. An evaluation from your REALTOR® is a market-based opinion meant to help you plan.
No pressure, no obligation
Some people get an evaluation and list the next month. Others tuck it away and call me a year later. Both are perfectly fine. Knowing where you stand helps with all kinds of decisions: refinancing, planning a renovation, sorting out an estate or simply satisfying your curiosity.
A few ways to prepare (optional)
- Jot down major updates and their dates
- Find your property tax bill and any recent utility costs
- Gather any survey, well or septic paperwork you have
- Make a short list of questions you want answered
Curious what your home is worth?
When you are ready for the next step, my PEI home selling services page explains the full process from pricing to closing. Or simply contact Jodi Bernard, CENTURY 21 Northumberland Realty, to book a relaxed, no-obligation evaluation visit.
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