When it’s time to sell your home, one of the most important decisions is how to price it.
The pricing process can be tricky. If you set the price too high, buyers might pass you by. Set it too low, and you could leave thousands of dollars on the table.
That’s where a pre-listing appraisal can make a big difference.
What Is a Pre-Listing Appraisal?
A pre-listing appraisal is a professional, unbiased assessment of your home’s fair market value that’s done before you put your home up for sale.
It’s typically ordered by you as the homeowner or the listing agent and is conducted by a licensed real estate appraiser. This appraisal gives you a clear picture of what your home is worth in the current market and helps guide your pricing strategy from the get-go.
How Does a Pre-Listing Appraisal Help?
A pre-listing appraisal can lead to a smoother sale and a better final outcome when selling your home or property.
Accurate Pricing
Knowing your home’s true market value helps you avoid overpricing and underpricing. An appraisal helps you find the sweet spot.
Overpricing can cause your home to sit on the market and go stale. And underpricing may result in lost equity. Both can raise red flags among potential buyers.
Added Credibility
A professional appraisal is conducted by a neutral third party. Sharing this report with potential buyers can strengthen credibility and trust when discussing value and justify your asking price.
Stronger Negotiation Position
With an accurate, data-backed appraisal in hand, you’ll be better equipped to negotiate and discuss pricing. Instead of basing your price on guesswork or emotion, you’re using data that’s hard to refute or ignore.
Fewer Surprises
Many purchase deals fall apart after the buyer’s lender orders their own appraisal and it comes in lower than expected. A pre-listing appraisal allows you to get ahead of any red flags or major issues, minimizing surprises and reducing the risk that the deal falls through.
Smoother Transaction Process
When you and the buyer are working with the same playbook and realistic expectations, deals are more likely to go through. A pre-listing appraisal can reduce hiccups in the mortgage approval process, saving everyone time and stress.
How Does It Compare to a Realtor’s CMA?
While both a realtor’s comparative market analysis (CMA) and pre-listing appraisal aim to help you price your home, they’re very different in approach, detail, and purpose. Both are a good idea!
A CMA gives you a marketing lens, while an appraisal gives you a financial lens. Many sellers choose to get both to get a more well-rounded and accurate financial picture.
| Feature | Pre-Listing Appraisal | Realtor’s CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) |
| Prepared by | Licensed real estate appraiser | Licensed real estate agent or broker |
| Purpose | Determine objective market value | Suggest likely listing price |
| Method | In-depth inspection + market data + appraisal methodology | Recent sales + active/pending listings |
| Detail Level | High (includes condition, features, adjustments) | Moderate (based mostly on comps) |
| Legal Standing | Can be used for lending, legal, and tax purposes | Informal estimate (not legally binding) |
| Objectivity | Regulated and unbiased | May be influenced by marketing strategy |
How Much Does a Pre-Listing Appraisal Cost?
The cost of a pre-listing appraisal typically ranges from $375 to $500, depending on your location, the size or square footage of your home, and the overall complexity of the appraisal. Larger or more unique properties (such as waterfront homes, multi-family units, or rural acreage) may be more expensive.
While this might seem like an extra upfront expense, it’s often a smart investment. A valuation can help you reduce the risk of the sale falling through and increase your overall profit when the home sells at the right price.
Need a Pre-Listing Appraisal?
If you’re selling your property or considering selling in the near future, the experienced residential appraisal experts at Akrivis are here to help. Our pre-listing appraisals will give you clarity, confidence, and control from listing your home all the way to signing the final closing documents.
We know that in today’s fast-paced real estate market, speed is important. That’s why we provide accurate and data-backed pre-listing appraisals in five business days on average. No waiting weeks for appraisals and making the process longer and more drawn out than necessary!
Contact our team or order a pre-listing appraisal today to get started. Sell your home quickly and at a price that reflects its real value!