As a professional Realtor, it is not uncommon to be asked to put a value on a home sight unseen. "Just a ballpark." There are two reasons why I can't comment, the first a bit more obscure, anytime a professional opens their mouth with a comment related to the industry they can be on the hook for "implied agency." In other words, professionals can be held accountable for something they said casually and in passing! "My Realtor told me....."
The biggest reason, of course, is that rarely are two homes alike and value can be affected by SO many factors to do with design, maintenance, repairs, renovations, additions, landscaping, etc., etc. This is why before giving any idea of value I must insist on touring the home and seeing it in context in the neighbourhood.
Sometimes people will say, "but you've been in my home -- you came over for dinner." Please know that when not in work mode, I am not sizing up your home! I'm just enjoying it and your company!
Builders sometimes too are asked price per square foot....and they often sound cagey when hedging their bets! But the same thing applies -- price per square foot depends on MANY factors of finishing and location!
Rarely, but it happens, someone will say something like, "my neighbours are selling privately to avoid Realtor fees, could you tell me what to offer?" See paragraphs 1 & 2! One of my colleagues likened that to someone saying, "I want to lay my own floor so I don't have to pay an installer. You're an installer, could you come teach me how to do it?"
It always pays to pay a professional! Words to live by.
And, if someone will throw out ballpark figures....they ain't a professional!
The biggest reason, of course, is that rarely are two homes alike and value can be affected by SO many factors to do with design, maintenance, repairs, renovations, additions, landscaping, etc., etc. This is why before giving any idea of value I must insist on touring the home and seeing it in context in the neighbourhood.
Sometimes people will say, "but you've been in my home -- you came over for dinner." Please know that when not in work mode, I am not sizing up your home! I'm just enjoying it and your company!
Builders sometimes too are asked price per square foot....and they often sound cagey when hedging their bets! But the same thing applies -- price per square foot depends on MANY factors of finishing and location!
Rarely, but it happens, someone will say something like, "my neighbours are selling privately to avoid Realtor fees, could you tell me what to offer?" See paragraphs 1 & 2! One of my colleagues likened that to someone saying, "I want to lay my own floor so I don't have to pay an installer. You're an installer, could you come teach me how to do it?"
It always pays to pay a professional! Words to live by.
And, if someone will throw out ballpark figures....they ain't a professional!
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