Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, is known as American's Sailing Center. It is the home of the United States Naval Academy, and has a booming sea-food packaging industry. Annapolis is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
Annapolis is a small Maryland with plenty of character. Many Annapolis homes are very old and while they add to the town’s character, they can also create some amount of difficulty for their owners. If you plan to buy or sell an Annapolis home, a home evaluation will help you spot any problems in the home and determine its value. Evaluations of older homes can be particularly helpful.
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| Population 35,838 | Median Age 35.7 yrs | Household Size: 2.30 |
| Avg Commute: 25.8 min | Avg Income $49,243 | Avg Home Value: $165,600 |
| July High: 87.7°F | January Low: 23.8°F | |
Annapolis Home Evaluation
Annapolis includes an unusually large number of older homes; about 15 percent of current Annapolis homes were built before 1940, and many other homes were built during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. These older homes set Annapolis apart from other cities and provide a sense of history and heritage, but unfortunately they may suffer from problems rarely affecting newer homes. If you plan to buy or sell an older home, you should be aware of any flaws. An evaluation of an Annapolis home will inform you of its value and let you know if it has any serious defects.
Why are Evaluations Important for Older Homes?
Every home on the market should be evaluated to determine its value. Older homes may be particularly difficult to price because age can sometimes be a selling point and sometimes a drawback. Many people appreciate older homes because they are unique and often built more carefully, with more attention to detail. However, older homes are also more likely to suffer serious problems such as leaks, foundation problems, and heating or air conditioning problems. If your Annapolis home is older, determining its price may be a difficult task only a professional home evaluator can undertake. If you are buying an older Annapolis home, having it evaluated is a safety measure to prevent you from paying too much.
How are Homes Evaluated?
A home evaluator uses a system of checks and balances to determine the value of a home. Although location is an important factor, the condition of the home itself is a major consideration, too.
An evaluation will require a somewhat long visit to the home in question. The evaluator will walk through the home, noting its size, including number of bedrooms and bathrooms – the age of the home should not negatively affect this step of the process. He or she will then examine the condition of the home, paying attention to the flooring, walls, ceilings, cabinetry and generally every part that may deteriorate over time. He or she will also examine heating and cooling systems, electrical connections, and other systems important to future residents. These steps of the home evaluation may be the most affected by your home’s age. An outdated electrical system or a leaky ceiling will be costly to fix and will decrease the price of your home.
The Importance of Location
Fortunately, the location of your home will play a large role in the process as well. If your home is in a desirable location and nearby homes sold for high prices, your home’s value will be high even though the aging process has damaged it.
Having an evaluation of any Annapolis home is an important step – selling or buying a home is impossible if you’re not aware of how much it’s worth. Home evaluations in Annapolis may be more important for older homes because their value is often more difficult to determine.
By Brooks Becker
A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®