Home Values in Fresno: How to Maximize Your Sale

How to get a home value estimate

To get a valid estimate of your Fresno home’s worth — perhaps you need help deciding on the best list price or want to calculate what your projected proceeds might be — there are several tools with varying levels of detail available to you.

Use an online home value estimator

If you’re hoping to get a quick ballpark estimate of your home’s worth, using an online home value estimator like HomeLight’s is the easiest way to come up with a number on your own. These algorithms draw from a variety of public sources, including MLS listings and recent sales, user-submitted information, and county tax assessor records to generate a figure for your home. While these values can be rough estimates, HomeLight’s online value estimator uses personalized questions to trigger a more tailored response, giving you a preliminary starting point for your home-selling journey in just a few minutes.

Request a comparative market analysis

While an online home value estimator is an easy starting place, requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from an experienced Fresno real estate agent will provide a more precise estimate. A CMA goes beyond online data by taking a detailed look at your property and comparing it to similar homes recently sold in your area, evaluating factors such as your home’s size, location, age, and condition to help determine an accurate value. Because this service is performed by a real estate agent, you don’t have to worry about incorrect values or incomplete data gathered from online sources.

A typical CMA report includes charts, graphs, and photos to provide a comprehensive overview of how your home stacks up against others in your neighborhood. Some agents charge a small fee for this service, but many agents will offer a CMA for free — and if you’re already listing your home with them, a CMA is usually included. This type of home valuation is instrumental to ensure that your final listing price reflects fair market value.

Get a pre-listing appraisal

​​In rare cases, a comparative market analysis may not be enough to give you a fully accurate depiction of your home’s worth. For example, if your property has unique features that are hard to compare, is located in a rural area with few recent sales, or sits on a large acreage, you might want to consider getting a pre-listing appraisal instead of a CMA.

A professional appraisal will provide the most detailed, in-depth analysis of your home’s value. It involves a licensed appraiser physically visiting your property to examine its amenities, condition, age, foundation, upgrades, and so on. Be prepared that an appraisal usually costs between $450 and $550, though for more complex properties, like a horse ranch or a multi-million dollar luxury home, appraisal costs can jump even higher. Also, keep in mind that if your buyer is traditionally financing their purchase, the lender will still have to request their own appraisal to determine the loan amount.

How to increase the value of your Fresno home

If you’re hoping to boost the value of your Fresno home before putting it on the market, there are six key strategic updates to prioritize as you move forward.

Curb appeal: While it may seem trivial, the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see — you want it to make a good impression from the jump. In fact, a survey by the National Association of Realtors found that 92% of realtors recommend enhancing curb appeal before listing. Simple tasks like pressure washing the exterior, adding fresh mulch, hanging up outdoor lights, and painting the front door can have a positive impact on your home’s sale price.

Strategic updates: Focus on high-impact home improvements that will have the best return on your investment, which includes projects like replacing outdated flooring, repainting the walls a neutral shade, and modernizing light fixtures, faucets, and hardware in kitchens and bathrooms. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, some home improvements are worth more than others — replacing the garage door, for example, can yield an impressive 194% ROI.

Necessary fixes: Before listing, be sure to address any major repairs, like issues with the roof or HVAC. This can help you avoid deal-breaking inspection results or costly buyer negotiations after an offer is made. It’s also worth considering proactive repairs to plumbing, electrical, or foundation issues, though you should consult with your agent first before taking on any expensive or time-consuming projects that could delay the sale.

Decluttering and depersonalizing: One HomeLight survey shows that decluttering can add $8,000 or more to your home’s sale price. This includes removing excess appliances, furniture, stacks of books, or boxes from living areas to give them a more open, airy feel. Also, focus on depersonalizing your space by taking down any family photos, storing collectibles or memorabilia, and removing religious symbols from view to help buyers envision the space as their own future home.

Deep cleaning: Don’t skimp on a thorough deep cleaning, as this step can raise your home’s value by an average of $3,700, according to a HomeLight survey of over 1,000 top agents. In specific, focus on steam-cleaning carpets, scrubbing down windows, and scouring dirty grout to make the space appear new again. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas can harbor grime, and don’t forget to examine vents and baseboards for lingering dust. A freshly cleaned home not only looks more appealing, but also signals to buyers that the property has been well-maintained.

Home staging: Now that your home is a clean, blank slate for decor, well-executed home staging is the final step to help sell your home for more money. HomeLight’s most recent Agent Insights report even found that professionally staged homes sell for up to 13% more than unstaged properties. Of the agents surveyed, 67% felt that staging is a beneficial component to home sales, while 31% even reported that staging is “essential” for successful home sales.

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 Fresno

If you’re researching home values in Fresno because you’ve found your next dream home, but still need to sell your current property, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program could be the perfect solution. BBYS allows you to unlock a portion of your current home’s equity to make a competitive, non-contingent offer on a new house.

If your home is eligible, you can unlock this equity within 24 hours and face no advance fees or obligations. This gives you the freedom to buy your new home first and sell your old home later, avoiding the stress of moving twice or coordinating showings in a house you’re still living in.

BBYS does charge a flat fee of 2.4% of your current home’s final sale price. If your old house doesn’t sell within 90 days of closing on your new property, HomeLight will buy the home directly from you and continue working to get it sold. All proceeds earned from the sale will be passed on to you, minus any costs HomeLight has incurred.

If you’re interested in HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program and want to learn more, check out the video below:

How to find a top agent in Fresno

Fully maximizing the sale price of your home is largely dependent on partnering with a real estate agent who has extensive local experience and a proven track record. HomeLight’s agent matching service is free to use and can connect you with up to three top-performing agents in your neighborhood within minutes. This unbiased system bases its recommendations on an agent’s specialties, local sales data, and neighborhood expertise to ensure you get the best fit.

When evaluating agents, focus on those who have a high sale-to-list ratio — this metric means that an agent is skilled in accurately pricing their listings and securing the highest sale price for their clients. The sale-to-list ratio essentially demonstrates how close the home’s final purchase price is to its original listing price, expressed as a percentage.

Before signing a listing agreement with an agent, it’s smart to interview at least three candidates to evaluate their experience for yourself. Here are some examples of questions you may want to pose:

By coupling HomeLight’s innovative agent match tool with thorough informational interviews, you’ll be well-prepared to select the right pro to handle your home sale and score its best possible price.

Get a free preliminary home estimate today

Whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want to know where your home stands within the Fresno market, staying up to date with your home valuation can help you make smarter financial decisions with your biggest asset. Using HomeLight’s free online value estimator, you can obtain a preliminary estimate of your home’s worth in just a few minutes.

HomeLight can also connect you with experienced Fresno agents who can help boost the sale price of your home, or assist you in unlocking your equity to buy a new house before selling your current one. By keeping an eye on market trends and using the handy tools detailed above, you’ll be more than prepared to maximize the full potential of your Fresno home.

Header Image Source: (Grant Porter / Unsplash)