So it goes with the cash buyer. There is no government program, no mortgage insurance, and no safety net. if you misjudge the value. On several occasions, I have had cash clients buy a unique home in Fountain Hills or Scottsdale which did not have obvious comparable sales. In each occasion, the homes were over-improved: phenomenal kitchens, amazing staging, knockout landscaping and other bells and whistles which clouded the fact that, hey, this is still a small ranch home with 1600 square ft with just with a $50,000 kitchen. Having an objective, unbiased 3rd party give a dispassionate, market activity based assessment of value brings a cooler head to the table than a proud, heavily invested seller and a buyer with stars in their eyes.

If the appraisal indicates that the value is in line with similar homes, fine. If the appraised value is higher than the purchase price, Congratulations! If, however, the appraisal indicates a value lower than the purchase price, it is a sobering moment for all parties. The buyer is certainly not going to want to pay more than that number in all but rare cases. The seller has to grasp that they are selling real estate, not personal property. Remember the key words in real estate is location, location, location, not viking stove, viking stove, viking stove, or granite, granite, granite. Should the seller “eat” the difference? Consider this; if they rebuff the cash buyer, the next buyer is probably getting a mortgage. Since mortgages require appraisals, history will repeat itself.

In cases where a cash buyer’s appraisal comes in low, the seller should get their own appraisal to ensure that the buyer’s report is accurate. They then need to weigh their options, and, often, those options include renegotiating price to bring the real estate they are selling in line with the current market. .

Cash is king, and king needs reassurance and assistance too. Get it appraised! 

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If you have questions regarding your Fountain Hills real estate or surrounding communities, email me or call/text me at 480 888 6708