What is market value? Does it depend on who you ask or is there a definitive answer? Let’s take a look at an image below to help illustrate Fannie Mae’s definition of market value – which is what appraisers use in their reports. Knowing how to think about and explain this definition can be really helpful when working with buyers, sellers, and appraisers – especially in a market with many overpriced properties right now. I created the image below, and I hope it’s a helpful visual.
KEY POINT: One buyer might be willing to pay more than anyone, but how much would most buyers pay? If you lined up 100 buyers, what would most of them pay for the property? That’s what the appraised value should represent.
The Definition of Market Value from Fannie Mae: Market value is the most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: (1) buyer and seller are typically motivated; (2) both parties are well informed or well advised, and each acting in what he considers his own best interest; (3) a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; (4) payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and (5) the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
NOTE: There are other definitions of value that appraisers use for different types of appraisals, but most mortgage finance transactions will use Fannie Mae’s definition of value.
I hope this was helpful.
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