Skip to Content

How to Determine Your Arlington Property’s After-Repair Value

Tiny houses placed on stacks of coins representing increase in valueIf you’re ready to make a change as a single-family rental home investor in Arlington, arguably one of the most critical terms you first need to know is After Repair Value (ARV). The after-repair value of a property is a reference to the value of a property that has been fixed up or renovated. To be more specific, ARV refers to the estimated future value of the property, including all the repairs and improvements. To determine your property’s ARV and then apply it properly, you need to understand how to calculate it accurately. Keep reading to learn how to do so.

Start With a Market Analysis

A competitive market analysis is a highly effective technique to calculate your property’s ARV. By considering comparable properties (comps) that have recently sold, you can get a good idea of your property’s new market value. Many investors start by searching the multiple listing service (MLS) for recently sold properties that are as similar to your new, improved rental house as possible. You might, for instance, be looking for comps close to your property in age, size, location, construction method and style, and condition. Specifically, you should look for at least three recently sold comps (i.e., sold within the last 90 days) that detail recent upgrades or improvements.

Calculating ARV

The minute you have found three or more decent comps, you can then calculate your property’s after-repair value (ARV). There are two standard methods:

  1. Find the average sales price of comparable properties. For example, if you found three good comps, add their sold prices together, divide by three, and then you would have the average price. This number is your property after-repair value (ARV), which should be used to estimate the likely sales price of your own single-family rental house after improvements and repairs.
  2. Find the average price per square foot of your comparable properties. Divide the total sales price by the average square footage of your comps. With an average price per square foot, you can then multiply that price by the number of square feet in your rental property. This approach often involves a few more steps, but it often yields more accurate results than the first.

Using Your ARV

When you know, your property’s ARV, you can use it in several ways. First, it can help you to set a more accurate rental rate. By realizing how your newly renovated property compares to others in the neighborhood, you can boost your rental home’s potential. Another way that investors often use after-repair value is when buying investment properties.

When buying a new Arlington investment property, you may want to take 70% of the property’s after-repair value and subtract the costs of repairs and improvements. The resulting offer price can help you know where to start bidding for a property. In some cases, investors may go as high as 80% ARV, significantly increasing the chance of an acceptable offer. Of course, the higher the ARV you use to determine your offer price, the higher the risk for your profit margins afterward.

Calculating an accurate after-repair value takes practice and skill. While many investors learn to do so on their own, it can be helpful to rely on the expertise of a real estate professional or property management expert. Either one can help you locate comparable properties and ensure that your calculations reflect the true nature of the property, its location, and its future potential as a rental house.

Have you recently completed renovations on your investment property? Contact Real Property Management 360 and request a rental market analysis to ensure you stay competitive. Call us at 817-502-3588 to speak with an Arlington property manager today.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details