When preparing to sell your home in Sarnia-Lambton, one question many homeowners ask is: Should I get a home appraisal before listing? In 2025, with a balanced market and buyers carefully weighing their options, knowing the true value of your home has never been more important. But is an appraisal worth the cost?

At Blue Coast Realty, we’ve guided countless sellers through the process of pricing their homes for maximum impact. Here’s what you need to know about appraisals, and whether they make sense before putting your home on the market.

1. What Is a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is a professional, third-party assessment of your home’s market value. Licensed appraisers consider factors like location, square footage, upgrades, and comparable recent sales in Sarnia. Lenders often require appraisals for buyers, but sellers can also choose to order one before listing.

2. Benefits of Getting an Appraisal

• Accurate Pricing: An appraisal can help you avoid overpricing, which may cause your listing to sit, or underpricing, which leaves money on the table.
• Stronger Negotiating Power: Buyers are more confident making offers when they know the price is backed by a professional valuation.
• Peace of Mind: Sellers feel more confident setting their list price when it’s supported by data.

Local Insight: A seller in Bright’s Grove ordered an appraisal before listing. The valuation confirmed their pricing strategy, and the home sold within days with multiple offers.

3. Drawbacks of Getting an Appraisal

• Cost: Appraisals typically range from $400 to $700 in Sarnia, depending on the property.
• Not Always Needed: Experienced agents at Blue Coast Realty already provide detailed Comparative Market Analyses (CMAs), which often deliver the same guidance for free.
• Market Shifts: Appraisals are based on recent sales, but market conditions can change quickly, especially in 2025.

Local Insight: A seller in Point Edward paid for an appraisal, but market activity picked up and their home ended up selling above the appraised value.

4. Alternatives to a Pre-Listing Appraisal

Instead of an appraisal, many Sarnia sellers rely on a CMA prepared by their Realtor®. A CMA uses current and comparable sales data, combined with local expertise, to recommend the most competitive list price.

Should You Get an Appraisal?

If you’re unsure about your home’s value, or if your property is unique and harder to compare, an appraisal can provide useful clarity. But for most sellers in Sarnia, a CMA from a trusted Realtor® is often enough to set a smart listing price.

At Blue Coast Realty, we provide in-depth market analyses and pricing strategies tailored to your property. Whether or not you decide to order a formal appraisal, our goal is to position your home to sell quickly and for the best price in 2025.