Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with property and value

How to get a dispassionate appraisal of what a house is worth

xo — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 06:10:03 -0800

What's the most dispassionate way to determine what a house is worth? Uncle owns a house and may sell it to us at a favorable rate, but we'd like to figure out a fair price to set overall, so that Uncle isn't shafted but we don't overpay, either. Some of the variables at play:

- General area: VERY VERY good. Schools, town amenities, safety all A+.

- Specific area: mixed. Near a loud/dirty interstate highway, but also near a convenient commuter rail station. Small property, shared driveway. The yard has been neglected and would need tree work and possibly a retaining wall.

- House overview: Structurally sound, no leaks, no asbestos, no insect problems, has a dry basement.

- House details: Needs new HVAC, new boiler, new windows. Has not been renovated/updated in 25 years (has original carpets, kitchen, bathroom, paint).

How to find assessed value of a house

muchalucha — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:59:50 -0800

How can I find out the assessed value of my grandmother's house w/ out a lawyer? Is this information in the public domain? I am trying to put together a proposal to buy my grandmother's house from my father and his two sisters. I would like to be able to make them an offer and propose financing, but I dont know what the house is worth. One person says $25,000, another says $60, 000. I would like to be able to put together a reasonable proposal for them, but I don't know how much I'm dealing with.
The house is in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Where can I find NYC property value statistics for 2009-2010

lukeomalley — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:18:17 -0800

I am looking to find out overall statistics for property rentals in NY for 2009-2010. I am trying to write a letter to prevent a rent hike and I want to fill it with some statistics to help better illustrate my point. Thanks in advance.

New residents of Seattle. Please help us choose a neighborhood to buy a house.

valannc — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:35:59 -0800

Seattle region filter: We are new residents of Seattle, from New Jersey, enjoying our exploration of this wonderful city. We are house-hunting and have narrowed down our choice of neighborhoods. Any opinions or advice? Criteria:
- Commute is less than 30 minutes to South Lake Union.
- Quiet streets and beautiful light. We really like the light in the areas close to Puget Sound.
- Re-sale value. We have no kids, but we prefer good schools and desirable areas -- for resale value.
- Walkable friendly community.

Neighborhoods, in order of preference:
1. Richmond Beach. Wonderful quiet neighborhood seems like a retreat from the city. But not a bad commute. However, there is the Point Wells development looming. It could change the whole character of the community.
2. North Beach. I like the relaxed feel of the neighborhood.
3. Blue Ridge. I think it's a bit too spruce and upscale for us. But there are some beautiful houses.
4. Sunset Hill. What a lovely community! But the lots and houses tend to be small. Houses are selling quickly in Sunset Hill, despite the "buyer's market."
5. Magnolia. Shorter commute to South Lake Union, but homes are more costly, and the area is kind of isolated from the rest of Seattle.

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage to living in Shoreline vs the city of Seattle?

Buying property with a water view... How can I confirm that the nice view will remain unobstructed over the years?

valannc — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:54:18 -0800

We are house-hunting in the Seattle area. Looking at property with water views. Willing to pay the higher price that comes with a view. But I'm reading some horror stories about how a neighbor will build a tower in front of your view, or neighbors who refuse to trim their tall shrubs. And then your view is obscured and your property value drops. How do I research this? How can I know if the viewshed is protected or not? What sort of monitoring would I need to do over the years? I will ask my realtor to research it, but I'd like to hear from people with experience with this issue.