Lake Conroe Appraisals Blog

By a local appraiser who’s tired of Zillow acting like it knows everything If you’ve spent any time cruising Zillow, Realtor .com, or arguing with your neighbor over whose house is “worth more,” you’ve probably run into the price-per-square-foot trap . It sounds simple enough — take the sale price, divide by the square footage, boom: value. Easy math, right? Yeah… no. That’s like trying to figure out the value of a truck by dividing the sticker price by the number of cupholders. In Montgomery County — Conroe, The Woodlands, Montgomery, Willis, Magnolia — price per square foot is one of the quickest ways to misunderstand what your home is actually worth. So let’s break it down in plain English, Texas-style. 🏡 Why Price Per Square Foot Doesn’t Work (Most of the Time) 1. Smaller homes almost always have a higher $/SF Think of it like buying brisket. A whole brisket is cheaper per pound than buying sliced brisket by the quarter-pound at H-E-B. Homes work the same way: Sma...

Thinking about refinancing your home in Montgomery County, TX ? Whether you’re aiming for a lower interest rate, cashing out equity, or trying to eliminate PMI (private mortgage insurance) , one big step can make or break your refinance: the home appraisal . A lot of homeowners get caught off guard by this process, so let’s break it down— step by step —so you know exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and how to maximize your home’s value. Step 1: Why Your Lender Requires an Appraisal Your lender doesn’t just take your word for how much your home is worth. They need a professional appraisal to determine: Your Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio – If your LTV is too high, you may not qualify for the refinance terms you want. PMI Removal – If your home’s value has increased and you now have 20% equity, this appraisal could save you hundreds by getting rid of PMI. Cash-Out Refinance Eligibility – If you’re looking to tap into your home’s equity, the appraisal determines how much you can borro...