transparency re: home sale prices (San Antonio, Howe: sales, appliances, custom home)

[sugarnut]

I understand the state of Texas does not require the final sales price of a home to be made public.

Is there any way to obtain this information? Do only realtors have access to the sale price of a home?

As a prospective buyer--it's unnerving. List prices often don't match up neatly to the assessed value (in either direction).

Just curious! Thanks.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by sugarnut

I understand the state of Texas does not require the final sales price of a home to be made public.

Is there any way to obtain this information? Do only realtors have access to the sale price of a home?

As a prospective buyer--it's unnerving. List prices often don't match up neatly to the assessed value (in either direction).

Just curious! Thanks.

Any agent can do comps for you, which essentially will give you sales prices of comparable properties.

If you're doing it on your own, you can contact your tax office or appraisal office to find out sales prices.

[BoerneMan]

Originally Posted by sugarnut

I understand the state of Texas does not require the final sales price of a home to be made public.

Is there any way to obtain this information? Do only realtors have access to the sale price of a home?

As a prospective buyer--it's unnerving. List prices often don't match up neatly to the assessed value (in either direction).

Just curious! Thanks.

Sales prices are recorded in the MLS system by realtors, so you will need one (or hire an appraiser) if you want that info. As you already seem to understand, never rely on assessed values by the county, especially for custom homes.

[dastexan]

Originally Posted by sugarnut

I understand the state of Texas does not require the final sales price of a home to be made public.

Is there any way to obtain this information? Do only realtors have access to the sale price of a home?

As a prospective buyer--it's unnerving. List prices often don't match up neatly to the assessed value (in either direction).

Just curious! Thanks.

Or just don't be cheap and hire a professional to do the job?

[TrapperL]

All you have to do is ask the builder what the list price is. But from there it can get cloudy. Most folks will opt for additional comforts like tile flooring, additional office, upgrade appliances, etc. The options list can run a house over the appraised value meaning you the buyer may have to pay cash for some of the options- that's hardly the builders fault. This all should have been spelled out for you at time of buying and again at the decorating center better known as the builders profit center. There are few options worth having that are worth the price and 30 years of interest tacked onto it. But folks want everything NOW rather than wait when they can afford to pay cash for the upgrade, like a dishwasher, frig, stove, etc. I always recommend the carpet pad upgrade only and upgrade any fiberglas tubs or enclosures. Everything else is a want and not a requirement.

[Proffer]

When I was looking for a previously owned house in 2007, my realtor was able to send me sales history via MLS listings. My second agent (or was it my third? told me that MLS stopped keeping track of that info, so he couldn't send it to me. If it's true, I'm sure that it was because prices were BUBBLING (yes, even in San Antonio) and it was not advantageous to the SABOR to make that sales data available to buyers who would have been shocked that properties in this city were skyrocketing (but it wasn't a bubble!! As usual, it's not about the consumer... Anyway, not sure what the deal is now, but it was great to see the sales history. However, if what you're looking at is above comps, your agent will say that comps don't matter because the house you're looking at is so unique (even if it's not). If you say that it's further above assessed value than comparable properties, your agent will say that tax value doesn't matter either. And of course, it's always the best time to buy, but you knew that...

[dastexan]

MLS has prices back to at least 2006 in it.

The Realtor lied to you.


Assessed Value in the end really only matters to banks, they will only lend based upon whatever the market will bear in terms of on paper. Unless you have a unique luxury type house, good luck getting anything based on your own perceptions. Market value will in the end drive the actual prices, but the comparable prices will have some bearing, especially when you are looking at financing of houses. Obviously the more affluent the neighborhood, the less this will in the end matter as a hard fast rule.

[Proffer]

Realtors would never lie...

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by Proffer

Realtors would never lie...

Some do. That's true. However, most are professional and realize what's at stake. Lying about sales price would be a very bad move. I really have no idea why your agent would tell you that. That's just silly.

[sugarnut]

Originally Posted by dastexan

Or just don't be cheap and hire a professional to do the job?

We're already working with a realtor. But I do enjoy doing some of this research on my own, especially during the "narrowing down the neighborhoods" phase.