Real Estate: Sale Price vs. Valuation?

This week we asked to local realtors for their view on a thorny question. Now that the new valuations have been released, what should a seller do if their home is on the market at a price that is higher than the new valuation? Should they drop the price? Here are responses from Anne Moretti and Carolyn Kay:

Anne Dowd Moretti of Julia B. Fee Sotheby's:
The new valuations are certainly worth considering; however, a home's market price is determined by factors which may be very different than those used in the reval process. There has been little transparency in the methodologies used by Tyler Techhnologies to determine the new valuations, so it's hard to say how the new assessments were actually derived. I've seen new assessments on homes which have sold in the past year, and some are significantly higher, while others are lower than the selling prices. A property is worth what a buyer is willing to pay at any given time, and that price can be higher or lower than an assessor's calculation of land size, interior square footage, condition, location, etc. I don't believe the reval assessments and market prices are so closely related. If they were, that would certainly make our lives as real estate agents a whole lot simpler.

Carolyn Kay of Coldwell Banker:
I don't think they need to reduce the price necessarily. The assessed valuation is a number used by a municipality, in our case Scarsdale Village, to assign valuation to a particular property. Ultimately the market value of a house is what it will sell it at any particular time. As a result of this, the price of the house and the assessed valuation of the house may not be the same at all times. As we all know it is the buyers who ultimately determine what a house is worth!

Sales:

217 Rock Creek Lane: Built with luxury in mind, picture perfect, brand new construction located in Quaker Ridge. Colonial home features coffered ceilings, raised panel moldings, 9' ceilings on all levels, spacious rooms, mudroom, walk-in closets, walk-up attic, 5 zone heating, 3 dishwashers, 2 washing machines and dryers. Located in a quiet, residential neighborhood.

Sale Price: $2,600,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD

21 Kolbert Drive: Stunning views of property, bordering Winged Foot Golf Course woods, from every corner of this beautifully renovated home on a cul-de-sac. Open floor plan perfect for entertaining, boasting a Rutt Kitchen with center island, family room with brick fireplace, connecting to a large sunroom with skylights and door to deck, overlooking .48 acre property. Perfect living space includes 5 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, office, and walk out family room with custom gas fireplace.

Sale Price: $1,595,000
Real Estate Taxes: $37,879

20 Meadow Road: A picturesque setting for this sun-filled gracious home. Open spaces and a view of Quaker Ridge Golf Course. Living room and dining with fireplace and doors to stone patio and custom pool. Enjoy the specimen trees and plantings all designed for this home. Large family room with wet-bar, modern eat-in-kitchen and separate laundry room. Glass enclosed Florida Room with BBQ and greenhouse. Two family bedrooms and master suite - 2 additional bedrooms with balcony and spiral stairs to garden

Sale Price: $1,514,000
Real Estate Taxes: $39,500

7 Old Lane, Edgemont: Great Location on .36 acre. Incredible yard. bright, sunny, open layout. Four bedrooms, 3 baths. Lower level playroom, 2-car garage.

Sale Price: $966,314
Real Estate Taxes: $26,122

14 High Point Lane: Charming colonial located on private, level 1.01 acres on cul-de-sac. Special features: renovated kitchen and breakfast room, updated master bedroom bath. Extra large new 2-car garage, family room with wood burning store and atrium. . Exquisite perennial gardens, landscape lighting, stone fountain, brick & slate patios, invisible fence. Perfect home for gracious living and entertaining with total privacy

Sale Price: $1,120,000
Real Estate Taxes: $29,392

1 Ardmore Road: Convenient location. Sunny bright Colonial on .22 acre with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Patio off kitchen, breezeway to 1 1/2 car garage, central air. .
Sale Price: $760,000
Real Estate Taxes: $22,004

Featured Listings:
8 Kent Road, Scarsdale: This pristine Colonial sets new standards for healthy living and ultra-efficient low energy costs. Certified, unsurpassed indoor air quality, highest water purity and the lowest/zero VOC materials in a sun-lit twelve room, six bedroom, seven bath, 6,900 square foot residence. Custom millwork, high-end finishes and reclaimed wood flooring. Set on 46 acre of picturesque property with a two-car garage, with electric car charging station and ventilation system and state-of-the-art solar/geothermal heating and cooling. Learn more here:

List Price: $3,550,000

25 Cornell Street: Scarsdale PO\Mamaroneck: Fabulous classic Quaker Ridge Split on flat and gorgeous .63 acre offers a most desirable open floor plan and comfortable layout. Each room is more spacious than the next with inviting views of the park-like property from the minute you walk through the front door. The 20' x 30' deck, accessible from the dining and living rooms is poised for festive entertaining or quiet contemplation. Possibility for expansion and pool makes this a smart option for the value driven buyer. Picture perfect. Learn more here:

List Price: $1,639,000

125 Trenor Drive: A world apart...Magnificent 6 BR, 4.2B Brick Center Hall Colonial with masterful renovations offers complete privacy on 3/4 park-like acres. Grand principal rooms flow elegantly for seamless entertaining indoors and out. Spectacular gourmet kitchen with additional patio is ideal for al fresco dining and boasts 2 ovens, 2 dishwashers, 2 sinks and 2 separate seating areas. A few of the highlights include 1100 bottle wine cellar, 2 laundry rooms, 2 offices, gym and complete privacy. Peerless renovations and outstanding elements are found in this custom home with luxury finishes and amenities. Offered at $1,899,000 For photos and details: Text M342368 to 85377 or see online here: http://4409079.PrudentialCentennial.com

1 Eva Lane: Backyard BBQs...Morning Laps...Easy Living...4BR, 4B Edgemont home on close to an acre of land on a cul-de-sac. Create your memories in this spacious lovingly-maintained updated home with a magnificent private built-in pool. Special features include an open kitchen with windowed eating/sitting area leads to beautiful yard. Offered at $1,100,000 For photos and details: Text M313147 to 85377 or see online here.