How Much Is Your
Home Worth Right Now?

Online AVMs (Automated Valuation Models) like Zillow’s Zestimate can be a helpful starting point, but they work with publicly available data — which means they miss things like your updated kitchen, new roof, or the fact that your neighbor’s house sat on the market for 90 days because it was priced wrong. In Central Florida, I’ve seen Zestimates off by $30,000–$60,000 in either direction. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using real MLS data gives you a far more reliable number. That’s exactly what I prepare in your free report.

The big ones: location and school district, square footage and lot size, condition and updates (kitchens and bathrooms move the needle most), age of major systems (roof, HVAC, water heater), and — critically — what comparable homes have actually sold for in the last 90 days nearby. Florida’s seasonal market also matters. Inventory levels in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Polk counties shift throughout the year, and buyer demand from out-of-state relocators can spike values in certain neighborhoods. Your free report will break this down for your specific address.

Your equity is what’s left after subtracting your mortgage balance from your home’s current market value. So if your home is worth $450,000 and you owe $280,000, you have $170,000 in gross equity. But if you’re selling, you also need to subtract selling costs — typically 5–7% in Central Florida, covering agent commissions, closing costs, and fees. The Equity Snapshot Calculator above does this math for you. Your net proceeds (what you’d actually pocket) is usually what matters most for planning your next move.

It depends entirely on your neighborhood, price point, and personal timeline — not a one-size-fits-all answer. Central Florida has seen strong appreciation over the past several years, driven by in-migration from high-cost states. However, rising inventory in some submarkets means days-on-market are stretching in 2025–2026. That’s why the best time to sell is when your personal situation is right AND your pricing is sharp. I’d rather give you an honest picture than tell you what you want to hear. Your free report will include current days-on-market data for your specific area.

A home appraisal is conducted by a licensed appraiser, typically required by a lender during a purchase or refinance transaction. It carries legal weight and usually costs $400–$600. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is prepared by a licensed real estate agent using MLS data — it’s the tool we use to price homes for the market. A CMA is free, faster, and often more current because it draws directly from the MLS. For making a selling decision, a CMA is usually all you need to start. If a lender requires an appraisal, that happens during the transaction itself.

Absolutely — and this is where my dual license as both a REALTOR® and Mortgage Broker becomes a real advantage for you. There are several ways to leverage equity: a cash-out refinance, a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), selling your current home and using the proceeds as a down payment, or even a bridge loan strategy. Each has different tax implications and timing considerations. I can walk you through all of them and help you choose the path that makes the most sense for your goals — without needing to coordinate between a separate agent and lender. Learn more about financing options here.