Definition of "Property appreciation"

Appreciation, or property appreciation in real estate is the increase in the value of a property or asset over time. This increase in value can be due to a number of factors; inflation, population growth, economic growth of an area, etc. Property appreciation can occur under a variety of different circumstances and with virtually any piece of real estate. Appreciation is the opposite of depreciation. Let’s explore some examples of appreciation in real estate. 

 

Examples of property appreciation in real estate

 

Joan is a young woman in her early 30’s. After finishing a masters degree in finance, Joan finds an excellent job with a good salary at a stock brokerage company. As she nears her mid thirties, her house is paid off and she has saved up a tidy sum of money. With her savings, Joan invests in a cozy little bungalow in the suburbs, spending a reasonable sum of $125,000. 

 

After finding a tenant and contracting a property management service, Joan begins to reap the rewards of her investment. However, after a few years of being a landlady, Joan tires of the responsibility and stress of maintaining the property, and decides to sell. After contacting a real estate agent and finding a buyer, Joan manages to get $225,000, making a tidy profit of $100,000. 

 

The cause for this higher price is what is known as property appreciation. During the time that Joan had owned the house, a mall had been built nearby, a new movie theatre opened and an office complex newly constructed. The resulting demand for housing caused the value of Joan’s house to go up, without her even having to do anything.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The real estate arbitration definition is an alternative way to settle disputes when the parties involved want to avoid a trial. There are some significant differences between an ...

Expenditures incurred building a structure, including material and labor. ...

Housing where affirmative action is proactively pursued protecting the housing rights of people of all races, nationalities, and religions. ...

Expected period that property will provide benefits. It is typically less than physical life of the property because the property continues to have physical life regardless of inefficiency ...

Literature, samples, equipment, tools, and other useful information that real estate brokers or agents can use for demonstration purposes to prospective buyers. ...

As one of the principles of contract, the lawful object meaning can be defined as an object or action which is authorized, approved, and not prohibited by law. A contract to be legal ...

Having a traditional salt box architecture with clapboard siding, the New England Colonial was enlarged for additional family members by adding extensions, often at the rear of the home. ...

Window having both screens and storm windows that can be easily interchanged according to seasonal needs. ...

Amount subject to depreciation, which equals the initial cost less the estimated salvage value. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions