Home Values in Cape Coral: Maximize Your Home’s Worth

How to get a home value estimate

There are several tools available to help you determine your Cape Coral home’s value, ranging from quick online estimators to more detailed reports from real estate professionals. Whether you’re aiming to set an accurate list price or calculate your potential proceeds, knowing what your home is worth is a great place to start.

Use an online home value estimator

The easiest way to get a general idea of your home’s value is to use an online home value estimator like HomeLight’s. These estimators pull data from various public sources, such as county auditor and tax assessor records, user-submitted information, and details from MLS listings and sales. HomeLight’s estimator goes one step further by asking seven targeted questions about your home to generate a more personalized, tailored estimate. You can receive a ballpark figure in just two minutes, providing you with a solid launching point for your home-selling journey.

Request a comparative market analysis

While an online estimator is a great starting point, requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local real estate agent will give you a more detailed picture of your Cape Coral home’s value.

A CMA provides a more in-depth evaluation by comparing your home to similar homes (called “comps”) that have recently sold in your area. It considers various features, including square footage, age, location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any recent upgrades.

CMAs typically come complete with charts, graphs, photos, and other valuable data to offer a comprehensive look at your home’s market standing. Some agents do charge a small fee for CMAs, but many will put one together for free. If you’re selling your home, a CMA is usually part of the services offered by your listing agent.

Get a pre-listing appraisal

While a CMA provides a very solid estimate of your home’s value, certain situations may call for a pre-listing appraisal. This type of appraisal may be necessary if your home has unique features that make it difficult to compare with other properties, or if it’s located in a rural area with few other recent sales. A professional appraisal involves a licensed expert coming out to physically evaluate your home, taking note of the home’s condition, exterior, interior, foundation, and upgrades to give you the most confident figure for your home’s worth.

Obtaining an accurate estimate for your home before listing on the market is critical, as you don’t want to risk over-pricing your home and letting it linger on the market. Keep in mind that a pre-listing appraisal typically costs between $450 and $550, though more complex properties (think custom luxury homes or large rural estates) could cost more. Even if you get a pre-listing appraisal, also know if your buyer is financing the purchase, the buyer’s lender will still require an appraisal to approve the mortgage loan.

How to increase the value of your Cape Coral home

If you’re looking to maximize the value of your Cape Coral home before selling, here are several strategies that can help boost your home’s appeal and final sale price.

Curb appeal: Research from the National Association of Realtors reveals that improving curb appeal is one of agents’ top-recommended steps to prioritize before putting a home on the market. In fact, 92% of realtors recommend enhancing curb appeal before listing. This can include simple projects like mowing the lawn, adding fresh mulch, planting flowers, repainting the front door, or installing outdoor lighting.

Strategic updates: To see a significant return on investment, prioritize value-adding upgrades in key areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Replacing outdated or scratched flooring, updating light fixtures, and modernizing hardware can significantly improve the overall aesthetic and functionality of your home. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing the garage door is one of the most strategic home improvements, recouping 194% of the costs.

Necessary fixes: Addressing any problems with your home’s major systems, such as the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and safety features, is recommended before listing your home. These repairs can help avoid unwanted surprises during the home inspection and prevent potential deals from falling through. Always consult your agent before starting any costly or time-intensive projects that could delay the sale.

Decluttering and depersonalizing: Decluttering and depersonalizing your home can make it feel more spacious and welcoming to prospective buyers — by creating a blank canvas, buyers can more easily picture themselves living in the space. A HomeLight survey revealed that decluttering can increase a home’s sale price by $8,000 or more. Be sure to remove any personal items, such as family photos, collections, or religious symbols, from view and clear away excess furniture or objects that might be crowding the space.

Deep cleaning: A thorough deep cleaning session can breathe new life into your home, making it look fresh, new, and inviting. Start by steam-cleaning carpets, scrubbing down grout, and washing dirty windows, but don’t forget areas like baseboards, air vents, and ceiling fans that can accumulate dust and grime. According to a HomeLight survey of over 1,000 top agents, deep cleaning can boost a home’s value by an average of $3,700. A spotless home also gives buyers the confidence that the property has been well-maintained, and they may be more likely to overlook minor imperfections.

Home staging: Thoughtful staging can enhance your home’s blank canvas by showcasing all its best features. Staging also serves to depersonalize a property further, and can help a home sell faster and at a higher price. One HomeLight survey found that professionally staged homes can sell for up to 13% more than unstaged ones. In addition, 67% of agents agreed that staging is beneficial in today’s market, while 31% even consider staging “essential” for a home sale.

Unlock Your Equity and Buy Before You Sell

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

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How to buy before you sell in Cape Coral

If you’ve found your dream home but haven’t yet sold your Cape Coral property, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program could be the ideal solution. This program enables you to unlock a portion of your current home’s equity, letting you buy your new home first without the stress of juggling multiple moves.

Here’s how it works: If your home qualifies, HomeLight unlocks your equity within 24 hours at no upfront cost, allowing you to make a strong, non-contingent offer on your new property. You can then sell your old house while it’s vacant, avoiding the inconvenience of living in a staged home while showing it to potential buyers.

HomeLight charges a flat fee of 2.4% of your home’s final sales price. If your old home doesn’t sell within 90 days after you close on your new property, HomeLight will buy it from you and continue working to sell it. Any remaining profits, after deducting HomeLight costs, will be passed on to you.

Sound like a good fit? See the video below to learn more about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program:

How to find a top agent in Cape Coral

Maximizing your Cape Coral home’s selling price begins with finding a top real estate agent who is well-versed in your neighborhood. HomeLight’s agent matching service is unbiased and free for sellers, providing a way to quickly connect with up to three qualified agents in your area. Since agents don’t pay to be featured, you will be matched with professionals based solely on their specialties, past sales, and local experience, ensuring that you’re paired with agents who are best suited for your needs.

One key factor to consider when choosing an agent is their sale-to-list ratio. This metric compares the final sale price of a home to its original listing price, expressed as a percentage. A higher sale-to-list ratio indicates that the agent is skilled at pricing homes at or above market value, consistently securing top dollar for their clients.

Before settling on one agent, it’s wise to interview at least three to make an informed decision. Aside from evaluating the agent’s sale-to-list ratio, follow the sample questions below:

By using HomeLight’s agent match tool and asking targeted questions, you’ll be able to confidently select a Cape Coral real estate expert who can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your home sale.

Get a free preliminary home estimate today

Having an accurate understanding of your home’s value is the best way to make well-informed decisions regarding your biggest financial asset, whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply considering a home equity loan. With HomeLight’s free home value estimator, you can get a quick ballpark figure of your Cape Coral home’s worth in just a few minutes.

Additionally, HomeLight can connect you with top real estate agents who can help you sell your Cape Coral home for the best price, or even assist you in buying a new house before selling your current one. By taking advantage of these handy tools and staying up to date with Cape Coral market trends, you will be well-prepared to maximize your home’s value and make the best financial decisions for you.

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