Home Sweet Home
At first glance, pricing a home seems simple. Find a few similar sales, compare the numbers, and determine a value. But in Marley Park, it’s rarely that straightforward. I recently listed two homes in Marley Park that happen to be the same builder model. Another identical model went on the market a few weeks ago, and one more sold earlier this year. You might expect all four homes to have similar list prices, yet they ranged from roughly $500,000 to $700,000. How is that possible? These homes were among the original Marley Park models built around 2006, and buyers could customize them in ways that significantly changed their value. The third garage bay could remain a garage or become a private casita, with or without its own full bathroom. Upstairs, buyers could choose a dramatic two-story living room, a second loft, or a fourth bedroom. Those choices affected the home’s square footage, bedroom count, bathroom count, and garage spaces, even though the homes still look nearly identical from the street. To make things even more complicated, those builder changes weren’t always reflected in the public tax records. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see listings with incorrect square footage
or room counts because the information was copied directly from the tax records instead of verifying how the home was actually built. In some cases, the discrepancy can be several hundred square feet. Then there’s the condition of the home. After nearly 20 years, one property may have been beautifully remodeled while another remains largely original. That alone can create a substantial difference in value. The lesson is simple: when it’s time to sell your home, don’t choose an agent based solely on a friend, a relative, or the lowest commission. Look for someone with years of experience and a proven track record in your neighborhood. An agent who has sold the same floor plans multiple times will understand the builder’s options, know how to verify the home’s actual layout, recognize errors in public records, and price the property based on what buyers are truly comparing. In real estate, every neighborhood has its own nuances. The more experience your agent has in your neighborhood, the more likely you are to benefit from accurate pricing, stronger marketing, and the best possible outcome. Submitted by Christie Giannetto, REALTOR®, ΓEA Broker L
REACH OUT TODAY! The consultation is always FREE and without obligation. You should know what your home is worth in today’s market! Christie Giannetto | REALTOR ® Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com SurpriseMatters.com
602.740.2313
September 2026 9
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