Effective age
An appraiser's estimate of how old a home functions and looks, given upkeep and updates. A well-maintained 1950s home can have an effective age much younger than its real age.
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Where this comes up: getting ready
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
The appraiser's effective age is how old the home acts, not how old it is, and updates lower it. It is one way a renovated 1950s home appraises alongside newer ones.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
A 1955 home with a new roof, new kitchen and baths, new windows and updated systems. The appraiser assigns an effective age of about 15 years.
| The home | Actual age and effective age |
|---|---|
| 1955, fully updated | 70 and about 15 |
| 1955, original everything | 70 and 70, or worse |
| 2005, never maintained | 20 and maybe 35 |
Effective age is what maintenance buys you in the appraisal.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That an old house is an old house. Appraisers separate the year from the condition, and condition is the one you control.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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