5 Factors That Affect a Home’s Value - Experian (2024)

In this article:

  • 1. Prices of Comparable Properties
  • 2. The Neighborhood
  • 3. The Home’s Age and Condition
  • 4. Property Size
  • 5. The State of the Housing Market
  • How to Estimate the Market Value of a Home
  • The Bottom Line

Many different factors can shape a home's value, and there isn't one standard formula for determining what a property is worth. Still, there are a few variables that tend to affect home values the most. Local real estate trends play a big role, as well as the housing market at large. The home's condition, age, location and property size also often carry equal weight.

When taken together, these details can bring home values into focus. Sellers can use them to determine an appropriate listing price, and buyers can consider them to make a more competitive offer. Below are five top factors that affect a home's value.

1. Prices of Comparable Properties

Comparable home sales in the area will influence a home's listing price. How much have similar homes recently sold for in the community? Understanding the value of comparable properties (also known as "comps") can go a long way in determining home value. The idea is to look at properties that closely match the home in question.

You might start by checking the prices of nearby listings on sites like Zillow and Realtor.com. The downside is that a home's list price doesn't always accurately reflect its value—especially in a hot housing market. In this way, a real estate agent might be better equipped to help you. They'll likely have access to more recent and comparable home sale data.

2. The Neighborhood

The desire to be closer to jobs, schools or public transportation is a primary reason for purchasing a home, according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Other factors that can make a neighborhood appealing enough that they improve a home's value include:

  • Proximity to grocery stores, shopping and entertainment
  • Access to public transportation and major highways
  • Available parking
  • The quality of the local schools
  • The crime rate

These factors may influence why buyers are willing to pay much higher prices on some homes than other homes that are just a few miles away.

The neighborhood can also hurt a home's value if, for instance, it's close to an airport or a busy thoroughfare. A perfect home on paper may not be so perfect if the location doesn't fit with a buyer's lifestyle.

3. The Home's Age and Condition

Age could bring down a home's value, especially if the home needs work. Buying a fixer-upper can translate to all kinds of additional costs. There are cosmetic concerns such as an outdated kitchen or a less-than-modern floor plan, and then there are functional issues like problems with the home's roof or plumbing.

Replacing a roof can run over $7,000, while an HVAC system could set a homeowner back more than $8,000, according to a 2019 remodeling report by NAR. Generally speaking, it also costs more to insure an older home. On average, homeowners insurance premiums are 75% higher for homes that are more than 30 years old.

4. Property Size

It goes without saying that a five-bedroom house will probably cost more than a two-bedroom condo in the same area. The size of the lot the home occupies comes into play as well. Depending on the buyer, a big backyard may be more valuable than an extra bedroom. Overall, the desire for a larger space is the second most popular reason for purchasing a new home, according to NAR data. Looking at home value per square foot can be a helpful way to make apt comparisons of differently sized properties.

5. The State of the Housing Market

The housing market tends to run in cycles, alternating between favoring buyers and sellers. When supply is low, home prices tend to go up—especially if there's a surge of buyers. Mortgage rates are another important piece of the puzzle, and they vary based on economic conditions and other market factors.

Early in the pandemic, the Federal Reserve cut its target interest rates, which essentially made it cheaper to borrow money. That, paired with limited inventory, drove up home values and set the stage for a seller's market. The median sales price of new houses sold in January 2020 was $266,300, according to Zillow data, and a year later that number increased to $346,400—a 30% jump. By January 2022, the median sales price had grown to ​​$423,300.

However, things could begin cooling down in the near future. The Federal Reserve is expected to bump up interest rates, though housing inventory is still at a record low, which may keep home prices high.

How to Estimate the Market Value of a Home

To get a general idea of how much a home might be worth, you could use an online home value estimator, which considers recent sales and listing prices to predict a home's value. These tools are typically offered by popular real estate sites such as Zillow and Trulia. You can also try the Federal Housing Finance Agency's House Price Calculator, which uses a home's most recent selling price to project what it would be worth today if it appreciated at the average appreciation rate of other homes in the area.

For a more accurate estimate, work with an experienced real estate agent who understands your local market and can guide you in finding similar comps.

If a home is being financed, the lender will typically have an independent property appraiser inspect the property, taking note of its overall condition, size, number of rooms and so on in order to assign a value. Cash buyers, and those looking for a second opinion, sometimes also hire their own appraisers.

The Bottom Line

Every property is unique, and many different factors can influence a home's value. Whether you're looking to sell your home and buy a new one, or you're a first-time buyer, your credit score is critical. Experian CreditWorks℠ Premium is a resource that unlocks your credit reports and scores from all three credit bureaus—including the credit scores used by mortgage lenders.

5 Factors That Affect a Home’s Value - Experian (2024)

FAQs

5 Factors That Affect a Home’s Value - Experian? ›

The factors that are important include- utility, demand, transferability, scarcity, and also include depreciation as well. To apply this approach, you have to find an ideal property that is similar to yours. If you find 2 or 3 properties, then it can provide you with more accurate information.

What are the factors affecting the value of a property? ›

The factors that are important include- utility, demand, transferability, scarcity, and also include depreciation as well. To apply this approach, you have to find an ideal property that is similar to yours. If you find 2 or 3 properties, then it can provide you with more accurate information.

What causes home value to increase? ›

Supply and demand. The basic law of supply and demand have a major effect on the housing market. Simply put, as the housing supply decreases or as demand rises, creating an inventory shortage, home values go up. A real estate inventory shortage means that there are fewer sellers than there are buyers.

How much value does a house lose if someone dies? ›

How Can a Death Affect Property Value? Non-natural deaths—such as a homicide or suicide—in a house can decrease the property's value by 10% to 25%, according to Randall Bell, an expert in real estate damage economics and valuation with Landmark Research Group LLC in Dana Point, California.

How does location affect property value? ›

This means that location is often the single most important driving force behind the value of a property. It's a simple case of supply and demand: Housing supply in great locations is limited by the number of homes in that location.

What are the 5 value factors? ›

I call it the 5 Factors of Value Method – Location, Condition, Functionality, Comparable Sales and Motivation. When using this method, you can literally write each of the 5 factors down on a sheet of paper and use it as a guide when valuing a home.

What are the four 4 factors that create the value of the property? ›

The current and future importance consumers place on the four factors of value (Desire, Utility, Scarcity, and Effective Purchasing Power) represents Demand and Supply of the product or service. If you would like to learn more about Urban Statistic, you can look at our independent property valuations service here.

What affects home value the most? ›

A home's value is affected by local real estate trends, the housing market, the home's condition, age, location and property size.

What are the four forces that influence value? ›

There are four forces that influence real property values.
  • •Social Forces.
  • •Economic Forces.
  • •Physical and Environmental.
  • •Governmental Forces.

What decreases home value? ›

What hurts property value can be things specific to your house — such as deferred maintenance issues, outdated kitchens and bathrooms, or a noisy location — or by outside factors such as your local real estate market or the state of the overall economy.

Will I lose my house if my husband dies? ›

Many married couples own most of their assets jointly with the right of survivorship. When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse automatically receives complete ownership of the property. This distribution cannot be changed by Will.

What happens to property when someone dies with a mortgage? ›

Most commonly, the surviving family who inherited the property makes payments to keep the mortgage current while they make arrangements to sell the home. If, when you die, nobody takes over the mortgage or makes payments, then the mortgage servicer will begin the process of foreclosing on the home.

What happens if my husband dies and the house is in his name? ›

If the house is titled solely in the name of the decedent spouse, then the decedent's estate will be responsible for paying off the mortgage on the house. This will take place before passing the property to the beneficiary named in the decedent's will or to the decedent's heirs, if the decedent spouse had no will.

What are the 3 most important things in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake.

What is the most important factor in real estate? ›

Property Location

The adage "location, location, location" is still king and continues to be the most important factor for profitability in real estate investing. Proximity to amenities, green space, scenic views, and the neighborhood's status factor prominently into residential property valuations.

What is a bad location in real estate? ›

Commercial/industrial areas are bad locations

Unless you live downtown, commercial buildings on your block diminish residential real estate values.

What are the three factors that determine value? ›

PV = present value. r = required rate of return. n = number of periods.

What are the value factors? ›

The value factor is an attribute of stocks that are chosen by factor investors. The value factor is based on a belief that stocks that are inexpensive relative to some measure of fundamental value outperform those that are pricier.

What are fair value factors? ›

The fair value of an investment refers to the intrinsic worth of an asset or security. Analysts arrive upon this valuation based on factors like supply, demand for the asset, utility, expected growth rate, competition level, and associated risks.

What are the 4 ways to value a property? ›

Top 4 Methods of Real Estate Appraisal
  • Sales Comparison Approach. The sales comparison approach assumes that prior sales of similar properties provide the best indication of a property's value. ...
  • Cost Approach Appraisal. ...
  • Income Approach Appraisal. ...
  • Price Per Square Foot.
Feb 22, 2022

What are the four elements of value? ›

Elements of Value
  • For a commodity to have value, four Elements of Value must be present.
  • •Utility.
  • •Scarcity.
  • •Transferability.
  • •Effective Demand.
  • Utility. For a commodity or service to have value, it must be useful. ...
  • Scarcity. Even if a thing has utility, it is not valuable unless it is scarce. ...
  • Transferability.

What are the most important determinants of the value of a property? ›

This becomes all the more important for those who are buying a property purely for investment purposes. The five key factors to be considered while determining a property's value are – Location; Construction; Orientation & View; History, and External Factors.

What is the #1 thing that determines the value of a home? ›

Ultimately, the financial backing in a deal determines the property's value, and it's most often a mortgage lender making the call.

How do you increase value? ›

  1. Oct 4, 2022. 9 behaviours that increase your value. ...
  2. Stick to your opinion. If you have an opinion about something, don't deter from it. ...
  3. Be active. Never stay low during group conversations. ...
  4. Improve yourself. Never stop improving yourself. ...
  5. Stay updated. ...
  6. Be kind. ...
  7. Master new skills. ...
  8. Communicate.
Oct 4, 2022

How can you predict a home's resale value? ›

  • The home's current and historical sales price. Until we develop a real estate crystal ball to tell the future, historical data will have to drive resale predictions. ...
  • The comparable sales. ...
  • The location and neighborhood. ...
  • The market. ...
  • The size. ...
  • The layout. ...
  • The age. ...
  • The condition.
Apr 3, 2020

What are the 4 most common forces? ›

The four fundamental forces are gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.

What are the 4 forces in order? ›

Ordered from strongest to weakest, the forces are 1) the strong nuclear force, 2) the electromagnetic force, 3) the weak nuclear force, and 4) gravity.

What are 4 fundamental forces in nature? ›

If you remember any of the physics you learned in school, it's possible you may remember that there are four fundamental forces of nature. They are in no particular order gravity, electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force and the strong nuclear force.

What hurts a home appraisal? ›

Updating appliances or any major systems, like plumbing, electrical or HVAC, can be costly, so if yours are outdated, it could affect the overall value of the home. And if the interior hasn't been changed for decades, it may not appeal to buyers, which can also cause the value to decrease.

What lowers property value the most? ›

Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the property is a greater risk to purchase. Foreclosures in your neighborhood can also drive down property value.

At what age does a house start losing value? ›

If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.

What debts are not forgiven at death? ›

Bottom line. Federal student loans are the only debt that truly vanishes when you pass away. All other debt may be required to be repaid by a co-owner, cosigner, spouse, or your estate.

Can I collect my deceased spouse's Social Security and my own at the same time? ›

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security? ›

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Surviving spouse, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 — through full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount.

Can you inherit a house that still has a mortgage? ›

Can you inherit a house with a mortgage? Yes, you can. The home can be left to you as part of the deceased individual's will or, if the person died intestate, you may inherit the home as a result of a court distributing the deceased individual's estate.

Can you leave a mortgage in a deceased person's name? ›

The general rule is that a mortgage may not stay in a deceased person's name, however exceptions may apply. Generally, if a person dies, title will transfer. If title transfers, it invokes a due-on-sale clause.

Are beneficiaries responsible for debts left by the deceased? ›

Generally, the deceased person's estate is responsible for paying any unpaid debts. When a person dies, their assets pass to their estate. If there is no money or property left, then the debt generally will not be paid. Generally, no one else is required to pay the debts of someone who died.

Is a spouse automatically a beneficiary? ›

The Spouse Is the Automatic Beneficiary for Married People

A spouse always receives half the assets of an ERISA-governed account unless he or she has completed a Spousal Waiver and another person or entity (such as an estate or trust) is listed as a beneficiary.

Can a spouse override a beneficiary? ›

Most married couples make their spouses the beneficiaries of these types of accounts. So the answer is no, unless the beneficiary is changed, that is who will receive the money upon the account owner's death, regardless of a divorce.

Do you keep your husband's last name after he dies? ›

Name Change After Death of Spouse

While many couples prefer to share the same last name, it is by no means required. There is no law in any state requiring someone to take the last name of her marriage partner.

What are the 5 P's in real estate? ›

These five elements are Plan, Process, People, Property, and Profit.
  • Plan: The first P in real estate is Plan. ...
  • Process: The second P in real estate is Process. ...
  • People: The third P in real estate is People. ...
  • Property: The fourth P in real estate is Property. ...
  • Profit: The final P in real estate is Profit.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What is the 4 rule in real estate? ›

This is a simple enough question and one many investors ask when checking on their progress toward retirement. The “4% rule” is a theory that states you should be able to retire and safely withdraw 4% of your savings every year and your money should last 30 years.

What is the biggest risk in real estate? ›

High Vacancy Rates

High vacancies are especially risky if you count on rental income to pay for the property's mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and the like.

What are the four factors that influence value? ›

The current and future importance consumers place on the four factors of value (Desire, Utility, Scarcity, and Effective Purchasing Power) represents Demand and Supply of the product or service.

What two factors does success in real estate come down to? ›

“Success in real estate comes down to two factors: taking care of and valuing the customer.”

What are 4 of the major real estate risk concerns? ›

What Are the Major Risks in Real Estate Investing?
  • Major Risks in Real Estate. Identifying risk is a critical skill when investing. ...
  • Capital Risk. Capital risk is the loss of capital. ...
  • Debt. Debt financing is often used in real estate investing. ...
  • Liability. ...
  • Liquidity Risk. ...
  • Market Risk. ...
  • Over Leverage.
Jul 15, 2022

Where is the slowest real estate market? ›

The Bay Area has the worst performing housing market in the nation, according to a new report.

What are the most overrated real estate markets? ›

The most overvalued markets to purchase a home tend to be in California, but also include Seattle, Washington, and “Zoom towns” such as Boise, Idaho, and Greeley, Colorado. The most overvalued markets to rent a home are mostly found in California and Florida.

What determines the highest value for a property? ›

The Appraisal Institute defines highest and best use as “the reasonably probable and legal use of vacant land or an improved property that is physically possible, appropriately supported, financially feasible and that results in the highest value.” Appraisers typically apply four tests to determine that use.

What determines the value in use of a property? ›

Principle of Supply and Demand

Buyers and sellers tend to set the price or value of a good based on the supply of a good and the demand for that good.

What is the single most important factor in determining the value of a property? ›

Property Location

The adage "location, location, location" is still king and continues to be the most important factor for profitability in real estate investing. Proximity to amenities, green space, scenic views, and the neighborhood's status factor prominently into residential property valuations.

What are the 4 aspects of value? ›

The four types of value include: functional value, monetary value, social value, and psychological value. The sources of value are not equally important to all consumers.

What are the five methods of valuation? ›

This course examines in detail the five key property valuation methods: comparison, investment, residual, profits, and cost-based.

What decreases property value the most? ›

It's best to be aware of what hurts property value so you can protect your home and get the most ROI when it comes time to sell.
  • 1) DIY projects gone wrong.
  • 2) Lack of curb appeal.
  • 3) Unsightly interior wall paint.
  • 4) Lack of upkeep.
  • 5) Wall to wall carpeting.
  • 6) Excessive clutter can hurt property value.
  • 7) Unpleasant smells.
Oct 9, 2020

Who decides the value of a house? ›

During a home sale, the bank that offers the home loan will typically select an appraiser to render an opinion about the value of real estate as of a specific date.

What is required in order to determine the market value of a property? ›

Fair market value is usually determined by taking the average of three or more comparable homes. The comps strategy is a popular way to determine a home's fair market value, the price a buyer is willing to pay in a given market.

What are the three types of property value? ›

You should know the difference between these three values; in particular: Market Value, Assessed Value and Replacement Cost of a property.

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

THE 4-3-2-1 APPROACH

This ratio allocates 40% of your income towards expenses, 30% towards housing, 20% towards savings and investments and 10% towards insurance.

What are the three methods to determine the value of real property? ›

Real estate valuation is done through three main approaches. They are the cost-based approach, comparison approach, and income capitalization. Appraisers use either one of these processes or a combination of all three to come to a conclusion regarding the property's current value.

What is the value of a property based on? ›

An assessor looks at information about your property and neighborhood, while comparing it to other properties in your area, to determine the assessed value. The assessor uses the market approach, which is a method to estimate the value based on the selling price of similar homes.

What are the four elements of value all of which must be present for a property to have market value which of the following is not one? ›

What four elements that must be present for a property to have market value? d. Demand, scarcity, transferability, and utility. The four elements of value can be remembered by the mnemonic “DUST”— demand, utility, scarcity, and transferability.

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