Question 1

Do weeds affect home appraisal?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, if your home is poorly maintained and has weeds and overgrowth, it can affect your home appraisal and lower the value. Home buyers want to see a well-kept home, and if yours lacks curb appeal whether inundated by weeds or not, you could be neglecting the potential for it to reach its full value.

Question 2

Can a seller back out if an appraisal is higher than an offer?

Accepted Answer

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If the sales agreement has a clause that allows the seller to renegotiate based on the appraised value, then they might be able to back out if the appraisal comes in higher than your offer price. If the agreement doesn’t have that language, then the seller has no legal recourse to back out. They could hold a higher offer as a backup and move onto that one if yours falls through for any reason, but once the agreement is signed, the seller is locked into that purchase price unless there’s a clause stating they can renegotiate.

Question 3

How much money do you need to save to buy a house?

Accepted Answer

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While it's smart to save up about 25 percent of the price of a home—to cover the down payment and closing costs—many loans require between less than 3% down to qualify. In either case, you'll need between 3 and 6 percent for the closing and moving costs as well as a strong financial history for mortgage approval.

Question 4

Is finishing a basement worth it, and how much value does it add?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, in most cases, finishing a basement is worth the cost. The project adds valuable, usable square footage to your home and typically provides a return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 75%. For example, an average basement refinishing project costing $32,000 could add between $22,400 and $24,000 to your property's value. The final value added depends on factors like your location, the quality of materials and workmanship, and the features you include, such as a living space, bedroom, or bathroom. To be officially counted in your home's total square footage, the finished space must comply with all local building codes, including requirements for points of egress. However, in areas prone to flooding, a finished basement might be seen as a liability by potential buyers and could potentially decrease your home's value.

Question 5

Does a tile roof increase home value?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, a tile roof will increase the value of your home more than an asphalt shingle roof. Not only do tile roofs look nicer and add more to your curb appeal, but buyers will understand that roof tiles last longer than most other materials, so they can expect minimal maintenance and a long roof lifespan after closing, which often means they’ll be willing to pay more for a home with this roof option.