What I would do is peruse the MLS of similar homes in other areas to see how modern homes are pricing compared to traditional homes in the same area. Then I'd see which ones were similar to them and then adjust pricing based on location just for a basic idea of how similar homes are priced. Your best bet is for your realtor to check modern homes that have SOLD in other areas, and compare their correlation to others sold in the area of similar size and very near the location. Then look at similarly sized homes in your immediate area to see what they have recently SOLD. Make minor adjustments based on how modern homes compared in similar areas were priced to other traditionals in other areas, and then go from there.

Sue, great question. There are a few options that may help. One would be to try and run comps for homes built at the same time in your area vs average sales price for all similar square footage homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Use these to establish a base line of what the market might pay for a home of similar size, then start to adjust off of that value with your realtor.

Another option might be to use the auction sales method. This can sometimes locate the market for truly unique homes. While this is not something I'd recommend lightly, as standard sales practices usually work best, we have seen it work for custom properties that pose these kind of value questions.

Does that help?

I am getting ready to list my sister's house in Baton rouge. Same thing--totally unique architect designed--very contemporary which is not the norm in Baton rouge. We are going to get an appriaser in because we have no comps & are totally stumped as to pricing.

You are right that it will be difficult. You can have an appraiser do a 'cost approach' that would create a value based on what it would cost someone to build it today.