Estimating value, equity and an offer
Use the property report's comps and offer math as a starting point, then verify with your own walk-through.
On the property report
- Assessed value from the county appraisal district.
- Comps: recent nearby sales, where available, for an after-repair value (ARV) estimate.
- Offer math: a calculator that works backward from ARV, repairs and your profit to a maximum offer.
- For pre-foreclosures and tax delinquency, what is owed, so you can estimate the owner's equity.
Rules of thumb
- Assessed value often lags the market. Use comps for ARV.
- Equity = value minus everything owed (the loan, back taxes, liens). Public records rarely show the full loan balance.
- Always walk the property or get photos before a firm offer.
These are estimates from public data, not appraisals.
Quick answers
Does Texas Signals show the loan balance?
Usually not. Public records show the original loan and what was posted for sale, rarely the current balance. Estimate equity conservatively.
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