Buying a house

Buying a house

Wholesaler · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2016 · 247 posts · 76 votes

okay, this question isn't about investing. It's about buying a house for my family. 

It's my first purchase-ever. 

She said this to me regarding a house that is seeking for 140k but I'd zestimated at 111k.

"I also think on list price, they may not have enough in their price to give full closing costs....remember, it has to appraise with closing costs included....so it must appraise well, and they need to be selling it high enough to have room in their price....."

Can someone explain this to me? A broker, real estate agent, or anyone. I'm having a hard time understanding what she means. Our loan is for 185k. Why couldn't we talk then down? 

Is it that the appraiser might find the home isn't worth what they want? If that's the case, should we look for homes that match or fall below their market value? 

Of course I don't want the house after seeing the selling price vs market value estimate but I'm just wanting to understand what she means so I can be more aware when looking at homes. She sent this to me btw. 

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Investor · Ogden, UT · Member since 2016 · 75 posts · 33 votes
10y

It means if the listed price is $100,000 and the seller is not willing to take less than $100,000 and you need closing costs added to your loan then the seller raises the purchase price to $103,000 so they can pay 3% to your closing costs.  Otherwise if they dont raise the price then they are actually netting ~$97,000.  So in order for that to work, the house needs to appraise for $103,000 or the deal wont work.  

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  • Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10y

    @Benjamin Barredo,

    Well, remember: the seller's asking price is just that: what they're ASKING. It may or may not represent FMV: Fair Market Value.

    Ask your agent/broker to do what's known as a CMA: Comparative Market Analysis. This will compare the property you're considering to other similar properties recently sold or for sale in the same area. If the comparable sales support a lower offer, then offer less on your target house.

    In the end, a house is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

    That said, though, the lender will only lend you what you need to close the deal. Keep that in mind.

  • Wholesaler · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2016 · 247 posts · 76 votes
    10y

    I understand. Our approval letter is for 185k. 

    My confusion is what she means by the house having to be appraised with closing costs? 

    What does that mean? 

  • Investor · Ogden, UT · Member since 2016 · 75 posts · 33 votes
    10y

    It means if the listed price is $100,000 and the seller is not willing to take less than $100,000 and you need closing costs added to your loan then the seller raises the purchase price to $103,000 so they can pay 3% to your closing costs.  Otherwise if they dont raise the price then they are actually netting ~$97,000.  So in order for that to work, the house needs to appraise for $103,000 or the deal wont work.  

  • Dawn BrenengenBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Benjamin Barredo If you are buying the home for $140,000 and asking for 5,000 in closing costs, and the appraiser says it's only worth $135,000, then the bank is only going to give you a loan based on the $135,000, and the seller is probably going to remove the closing cost credit.

    Also, pay no attention to the zestimate.  It has absolutely NO relationship to market value.  Ask your agent to pull comps for you and help you determine fair market value.

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