Accurate property values begin with Swett Equity Real Estate

You’ve heard it before: location, location, location.

But in reality, micro-location is what drives value.

Things that matter more than most people realize:

• Street traffic (quiet cul-de-sac vs. busy road)
• Proximity to schools, parks, and walking trails
• Views (mountains, fields, water, or no view at all)
• Adjacent land use (farmland vs. future commercial zoning)
• Nearby developments approved but not yet built

Two homes with the same floor plan can have very different values simply because of what surrounds them.

Buyers pay a premium for homes that feel move-in ready — but not all updates add value equally.

High-impact upgrades:

• Kitchens and bathrooms
• Flooring and paint
• Roof, HVAC, and major systems
• Functional layouts and storage

Lower-return upgrades:

• Over-customization
• Trend-driven finishes
• Projects that don’t match neighborhood standards

A professional valuation identifies which updates actually matter in your market, not just what looks nice online.

Property value isn’t static — it moves with the market.

Key factors include:

• Number of active listings vs. sold homes
• Days on market
• Buyer demand and interest rates
• Seasonal trends (yes, they still matter)

In some markets, pricing aggressively wins.

In others, overpricing can quietly cost you tens of thousands.

Understanding today’s conditions — not last year’s — is critical.

One of the most overlooked value drivers is what’s coming next.

New roads, schools, commercial centers, zoning changes, or major infrastructure projects can:

• Increase demand and prices
• Change buyer profiles
• Shift long-term appreciation potential

As a local expert, I track these changes before they show up in sale prices, giving homeowners a clearer picture of where values are headed — not just where they’ve been.

Online valuation tools use broad data and algorithms.

They don’t:

• Walk your property
• Account for condition and layout
• Adjust properly for location nuances
• Understand buyer behavior in your neighborhood

A professional valuation uses true comparable sales, adjusted for:

• Condition
• Lot characteristics
• Upgrades
• Market momentum

This is why two “similar” homes can sell thousands — or tens of thousands — apart.