Sandra, If you are paying cash an appraisal may not be needed. If you are financing the finance institution will order an appraisal to determine if the risk of loaning money is a good deal for them. Costs of appraisals are going up drastically because of the short supply of appraisers and big demand for their expertise.
I agree with Shelly at RE/MAX, and unfortunately most often you will be paying for the appraisal in advance. In effect you wont know the market value until that appraisal is done. There are a few online tools that can estimate value, but the appraiser will take more into consideration than the online estimates. If you are working with an agent, chances are they have access to tools to let you know if your close. If the property doesn't appraise, you can try to renegotiate, however every deal is unique to its parties so no way to know going in. Lean on your agent for help on this.
A high mortgage rate can lead to thousands of dollars paid in interest over the life of the loan. Mortgage rate locks are designed to protect borrowers from rising interest rates but also work in reverse. Once locked, your rate typically won't decrease, even if the market shifts in your favor.
However, there are a few exceptions. Some lenders
Anyone who has spent a summer relying on window units and fans knows the struggle: uneven cooling, loud motors humming through the night, and the constant battle of installing and removing them each season.
Homes with central air are not just more comfortable but also more desirable to buyers. For sellers, central air isn't just about comfort,