Selling Strategy · FAQ
Last updated: June 2026
Quick Answer
Yes — appraisals and market value are related but distinct. A home can legitimately sell above appraised value in a competitive market, particularly for properties with unique features that are difficult to appraise accurately. However, buyers using conventional financing must cover any gap between the appraised value and the purchase price with additional cash.
Related Questions
Generally, it's wise to disclose significant past problems and describe the repair — a documented, professional fix is usually reassuring rather than alarming. Keep invoices and permits where you have them.
Read answerYou answer based on your own knowledge, and 'don't know' is acceptable where it's truthful. Share any inspection report you received when you bought, since that is knowledge you hold.
Read answerNo. It is the seller's account of what they know, while the inspection is an independent professional evaluation. Buyers should still [inspect carefully](/blog/seattle-home-inspection-guide-pacific-northwest), and sellers should not assume disclosure protects against everything an inspector might find.
Read answerUsually not fully. A partial refresh — paint, hardware, lighting — closes most of the perception gap at a fraction of the cost and timeline of a full remodel, and is the better move for most sellers.
Read answerRelated Articles
Before a Seattle home sells, the seller completes a disclosure statement about the property's condition. Many sellers treat it as a formality — but how you answer it shapes the buyer's confidence, the negotiation, and your own exposure after closing.
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Every seller wants to know which upgrades are worth doing before listing. The honest answer is that most renovations don't return their full cost at resale — but a handful of specific, moderate changes reliably move buyer perception and offers more than anything else you could spend on.
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Selling a rental property with a tenant currently living in it is a genuinely different process than selling a vacant home — different buyer pool, different legal notice requirements, and different timing considerations. Here's how to navigate it without disrupting your tenant or your sale.
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