Get matched with top real estate agents in Continental Divide, NM

Avoid using a home equity loan for non-essential or short-term expenses like vacations, luxury purchases, or temporary financial fixes. It’s best to reserve home equity loans for long-term investments, such as home improvements, that can add value to your property or financial position.

Ideally, you’d never pay more than the appraised value for a home, but there are some instances where it makes sense to do so. For example, if your current living arrangements are no longer viable and you need a place to move into quickly, paying more than the appraised value might be in your best interest to secure a new home. Additionally, if you’re buying in a hot market, overpaying for the home might be necessary to overcome the competition.

You should aim to have three or more bedrooms for the best resale value, and having four bedrooms is considered the gold standard. Having just two bedrooms is a functional obsolescence for larger family sizes, so a minimum of three bedrooms is ideal. Adding square footage from additional bedrooms will almost always be worthwhile, though, and can easily provide an ROI of 70%.

If the appraised value comes in lower than an offer, a buyer will normally be able to back out because a low appraisal can prevent a mortgage from going to underwriting. The buyer can also try to negotiate for a lower sale price or offer to put down more cash to bridge the appraisal gap.