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

Property tax rate whereby each mill is $1 of tax assessment per $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, a house in Los Alamitos is assessed at $200,000 and the millage rate is 10 ...

Material used for covering the surfaces of walls or ceilings. Plaster used to be made from plaster of paris, but is now primarily made from cement mixed with sand and water. After plaster ...

Partnership agreement where the parties consent to purchase the interest of those leaving the partnership while those leaving similarly consent to sell their interests to agreement for a ...

Litigation undertaken to obtain or maintain possession of real property. ...

To leave property. An example is a tenant who moves from the apartment and takes all her possessions at the termination of the rental period. If a tenant leaves before the lease expires, ...

Real property usable in a trade or business. Such as, the property on a which retail store, hotel, or office building are located. ...

Same as term cape cod colonial house: Early American style 1 1/2 story house with a steep gable roof covered with shingles. The bedrooms are on the first floor, but the attic is often ...

(1) Method of measurement lumber using the board foot cubic measure. The board measure is used to estimate quantities and prices of lumber materials. (2) Method of estimating lumber ...

(1) Wide boards, generally two inches thick, attached to flooring or roof of a structure. (2) Light gauged ribbed metal sheets used for supporting a roof or floor. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions