Discovering that your property’s appraisal is higher than your loan can feel like a financial windfall. It’s an exciting situation that opens up a world of possibilities. We buy houses that appraise for a higher amount than our loan all the time. Financing a house that appraises for a high value is a good thing. That means you have equity in your property.
Appraisal versus Loan Values
To fully grasp this scenario, homeowners should first learn the difference between appraisal and loan values. An appraisal is an expert’s estimate of your property’s current market value. Home appraisers consider factors such as:
- Location
- Condition
- Property type
- House size
- Recent sales of similar properties (comps)
Your loan amount is the money you borrowed to purchase the property. When your appraisal comes in higher, it indicates that the market value of your home has increased since you bought it. Hooray!
The value of your home has outpaced the amount you owe on your mortgage. This situation is known as having positive equity. The value of an asset exceeds the outstanding balance on the loan used to purchase that asset. It’s a strong indicator of financial health concerning your property and can provide a solid foundation for future financial decisions.
Benefits of a Higher Appraisal Value
A higher appraisal value than your loan amount is similar to an unexpected financial bonus. It’s a sign that you’ve made a solid real estate investment! Your property is now worth more than what you paid for it. Many investors dream of buying a home and gaining equity over time. It’s common to see people jump into investing by learning how to wholesale and hoping to eventually have equity in different properties. Wholesaling is where people start their initial hunt for owning a home with a higher appraisal vs loan.
Equity is Good
This increased equity in your home can be a significant asset. It provides you with more financial flexibility and security. For instance, you could tap into this equity through a home equity loan or line of credit to fund major expenses like home renovations. These loans typically come with lower interest rates than unsecured loans or credit cards.
That’s why homeowners love tapping into equity to pay for other things. Additionally, this increase in your home’s value could positively impact your credit standing, as lenders may view you as a lower-risk borrower due to your increased equity.
How to Leverage a Higher Appraisal in Refinancing
A higher appraisal value can be a great trough of money to dip into if you’re considering refinancing your mortgage. Refinancing involves replacing your existing mortgage with a new one. Why should you refinance? Usually, this strategy is done to take advantage of lower interest rates or to adjust the term of the loan. With a higher appraisal, you’re in a stronger position to negotiate.
Lenders are typically more willing to offer better terms, including lower interest rates. Lower loan-to-values are preferred by lenders. This means you could potentially reduce your monthly mortgage payments, save on interest over the life of the loan, or even shorten the term of your mortgage. Homeowners can eventually pay off a home sooner by refinancing strategically. Additionally, refinancing with a higher appraisal value could help you eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI) if your equity has increased enough to meet your lender’s requirements.
Implications for Property Taxes and Insurance
Although higher appraisal sounds like the best financial opportunity, it’s not all perfect. There are potential negative impacts on your property taxes and homeowners’ insurance that could occur. Property taxes are often based on the assessed value of your home. An increase in your home’s value could lead to higher property tax bills. This could also impact your overall housing costs.
Similarly, the increased value of your home may affect your homeowners’ insurance. Your coverage amount is based on the value of your home. A higher appraisal could mean you need more coverage to fully protect your investment. Unless a contractor damages your property into oblivion, a higher home value can cost you on the backend. Eventually, this leads to higher insurance premiums. Make sure to have adequate coverage. Update your insurance policy to reflect your home’s current value when you can.
Strategies for Negotiating Better Loan Terms
The increased value of your home can be a significant advantage when negotiating terms for any new loans or lines of credit. Lenders are generally more favorable to borrowers who have more equity in their homes. It makes sense since equity reduces their risk. If you’re looking for a home equity loan while having equity in your home, lenders will be more willing to offer larger amounts, lower interest rates, and better terms.
This is useful if you’re planning to use the funds for significant expenses or investments. For example, if you’re trying to buy a half acre of land in the future, having a line of credit can help. For homeowners looking to refinance a mortgage, this increased equity can be a strong bargaining chip. You can negotiate for a better interest rate, lower closing costs, or better terms. Shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders before committing to your next mortgage refinance.
Selling or Investing with Equity
A higher appraisal value can impact your long-term financial strategy, especially if you’re considering selling your home. If you plan to sell, this increased value could translate into a higher selling price, potentially yielding a higher profit. If you’ve made improvements to your property, there’s a good chance you’ve increased its value. On the other hand, you can leverage your existing equity when your appraisal is higher than your loan amount by pulling money out and paying for things.