Property values and home inspection

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Real Estate Investing

Investing in real estate has long been a way for individuals and families to earn supplemental income and enhance their net worth. And, of course, there's great financial potential: if you make the right decisions, you'll reap the financial rewards. Use this guide to get educated, licensed, and set up with houses and real estate resources all from the comfort of your own home.

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Real estate investing for beginners

For those new to real estate investing, there are excellent resources online that provide an ... read more »

Buying or selling property online

The Web hosts resources for both the buyer and seller. If you're looking to move a property, ... read more »

Finding a real estate agent

If the idea of going it alone doesn't appeal to you, consider enlisting the services of a real ... read more »

Property values and home inspection

Whether you're buying or selling a property, tools that can calculate estimated market value can greatly aid your decision making. Luckily the Web abounds with just such tools. The resources below are a great starting point for your calculations. If you're looking for a slightly more concrete figure, you'll also find sites for locating certified home inspectors.

Dulcinea's Insight

Compare the list price of properties you're considering with the estimated values generated on these Web sites, and investigate any large discrepancies between the two figures. You can also use these tools to learn the prices that similar houses in the same area have sold for.

If one database from the list below doesn't feature the home you're looking for, try researching it on another. If none of these resources lists the value of your home, consider contacting a real estate agent to help you determine the property's worth.

A recently popular site for home valuations is Zillow.com. For information on Zillow's "Zestimate" valuations, check out this article from CNNMoney.com, which overviews the services.

Dulcinea's Picks

For value calculators ...

RealEstateABC has a sophisticated valuation with customizable parameters to most closely estimate the value of any property in the United States. An integrated GoogleMap shows where the most recent sales were in relation to your property, and the selling price of those properties.

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NETROnline lets you search for home values and general public records. You'll have access to parcel maps, property reports and histories, deeds, vital records, tax data, and even environmental statistics in any given area on such important considerations as radon, asbestos, and lead. There's also a directory of service providers to help you deal with these issues.

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HouseValues.com is a free service that aides you in finding the market value of your home and a suggested listing price. Start by entering your zip code. The site will direct you through the rest of the determination process. This site is straightforward and simple.

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For help finding a home inspector ...

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) contains a section for homebuyers and sellers to use when searching for a home inspector. You can take part in a virtual home inspection to get an idea of what a home inspector will check for, learn what requirements inspectors must meet to be licensed in individual states, or search for an ASHI home inspector in your area.

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Home Inspections USA is a directory of home-inspection companies in the United States. Just click on a state on the U.S. map to find the companies in a particular state. The site also has informative home inspection articles for home buyers and sellers.

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