A property’s value might seem fairly fixed, but the reality is that value for real estate can move around a lot. A home’s value is simply whatever anyone will pay for it, so a home’s price can vary by hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of just a few years. Here are some techniques the experts use to determine the property value of a home.

Look at Comps

Appraisers typically find the value for a property by looking at prices of comparable homes, or “comps.” Homeowners interested in determining property value can get a general idea of a home’s value by doing this themselves. Look for homes of a similar size, with similar levels of upgrades, in the same general location, that sold in the past three months or so. This is an easy process you can do yourself to get an idea of the current market value for your type of home.

Check Out an Online Valuation Tool

There are a lot of real estate websites, including Zillow and Redfin, that offer an estimated value for a property. These sites use automated valuation models to quickly find a reasonable price for the home. Though this tool does not give the definitive value for a house, it is still a very helpful estimation. Just typing in the address for a property can quickly reveal its past price and tell you the website’s best guess for a home’s current value.

Ask a Realtor

Getting the professionals involved can help people obtain a more accurate idea of a property’s value. Most real estate agents are happy to provide an assessment for a home’s value. Some may do it free of charge because they hope to get the homeowner’s business when the property is sold. Others may charge a small fee, but this is often worth it. Always choose a local agent who has plenty of experience in the property’s market.

Hire an Appraiser

A professional appraisal is usually the best way to find out a home’s value. Appraisers will take into account the unique features of the house, the neighborhood, prices for comps, depreciation, and the local housing market to find the most accurate value of the home.