In Seattle and around the country, the color of someone's skin can impact the value of their home.

In the Clark home, kitchen conversations sizzle in life lessons.

“Generational wealth is money, houses, or things you pass down,” said Jaxton Clark, 10, while helping his father prepare breakfast in their Columbia City home.

It’s been four years since the Clarks bought their house.

“The homes are selling for over a million dollars here,” said Joe Clark. “We bought this house kind of under it was under duress.”

The Clarks immediately began renovating to make space for their two children.

“We put in a new kitchen, new bathroom, an extra bathroom. And we have plans to expand the second floor,” said Clark.

But while the Clarks were building up, they were surprised to learn the value of their home had gone down according to a home appraiser, sent by their mortgage company in April.

The Clarks requested the appraisal as they considered financing options for their renovations.

“[The appraisal] came in very low, which was really unexpected. [My agent] asked me, ‘How was the appraisal?’ I said, ‘It came in really low.’ ‘Oh, because it was $800,000$900,000?’ and I’m like, ‘No, no, it was in the sixes,’” said Clark.

The threebedroom home was valued at $670,000 dollars to be exact.

“It was quite amazing to have an appraisal that low in this market,” said Clark.

Earlier this year, Seattle real estate prices hit record highs, so Clark’s appraisal seemed questionably low. According to Zillow data, the typical home value in the Columbia City neighborhood this spring was over $900,000.

“I just want to make sure that we get the fair market value for the home,” said Clark.

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