Setting the right listing price is a critical step in selling a home, and it’s much easier when you’re working with verified data. So when someone asks, “Should I get an appraisal before selling my house?”, our answer is usually yes, especially when there’s uncertainty or disagreement about the list price. Our goal is to help homeowners understand when a pre-listing appraisal is worthwhile and provide realtors with a valuable resource to guide their clients.
How Is a Pre-Listing Appraisal Different From A CMA?
A pre-listing appraisal is a professional valuation conducted by a licensed appraiser before your home is listed for sale. It provides an objective market value based on comparable sales and recent sales trends in the area, alongside the condition and location of the home at hand.
A CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), on the other hand, is prepared by a real estate agent and draws data from similar homes in the area, much like comps used by appraisers; however, it’s not a certified valuation and won’t be accepted by your bank for lending purposes.
TAG Tip: At TAG, we encourage collaboration between agents and appraisers. Sometimes, a neutral third-party opinion is just what’s needed to get everyone on the same page. While most realtors do an excellent job setting list prices, a pre-listing appraisal can provide added confidence or a stronger foundation when pricing homes.
When Does A Pre-Listing Appraisal Make Sense?
The point of a pre-listing appraisal is to instill confidence in the list price using verified data. It’s beneficial in the following situations:
- Major home upgrades
- Custom features
- Lack of comporable sales nearby
- Rural locations
- Fast-changing markets
- Divorce-related sales
- Estate settlements
- FSBO listings (for sale by owner)
- Price disagreement with your agent
TAG Tip: If you’re using a discount broker who doesn’t provide a CMA, a pre-listing appraisal is a smart move. It gives you a clear, unbiased view of your home’s value so that you can price with confidence.
What to Expect: Process, Cost, and How to Use It
Our appraisal process includes a property walkthrough, a condition assessment, a review of comparable sales, and a detailed report. From inspection to report completion, we guarantee the TAG standard, 3-5 business days after the walkthrough.
Most of our appraisal services, including pre-listing appraisals, start at $450. Final pricing depends on the type of home, location, and timeline. Contact us to get your personalized quote.
TAG Tip: The buyer’s lender will order their own appraisal, but that report is shared only with the buyer and lender. Your pre-listing appraisal can still guide your pricing, support your negotiation strategy, and help prevent last-minute surprises.
All in all, if your home is straightforward and the market is hot, a CMA might do the job. But if there aren’t good comps nearby, you want extra peace of mind, or you and your agent can’t agree on a list price, a pre-listing appraisal can offer clarity and confidence. Either way, the TAG team is here to help you price it right from the start. TAG us in!
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