Appraised Value vs. Market Value: What’s Your Home Really Worth?

Gordon Watson

Published on: 13/01/2026

When it comes to selling, most homeowners fixate on one number: the appraisal. But here's what they don't realize—appraisals are backward-looking. They compare your home to properties that sold under different conditions, different seasons, and different buyer motivations. None of those homes are exactly like yours. Market value tells a different story. It answers the question that actually matters: How are buyers responding to your home today? Are you getting showings? Positive feedback? Or silence? The market doesn't lie—and learning to listen to it is the difference between a home that sells and one that sits.