01/17/2023
What to do in preparation of a Real Estate Appraisal
Get Everything Picked Up
This likely sounds obvious, so that is why we covered it first. First of all, a home that is clean on the outside, as well as the inside, gives off a good impression. It shows you have pride in homeownership. In terms of the appraiser walk thru its all about being able to visually inspect the entire home. He or she needs to see the floors, counters, open closets, see the furnance, etc.
Provide a Detailed List of Improvements
Owning a home is a constant flow of maintenance, repairs, and improvements. While the appraiser may get a good impression of the home, the appraiser will not be able to tell how recent any improvement was made nor the price of the work.
-Changes to flooring such as adding new tile or hardwood
-Replaced roof
-New heating/air conditioning system
-Any significant plumbing repairs such as a new septic tank or sewer pump
-Any addition to the home such as adding a new room or adding a deck on the back yard
-Improvements on the land such as adding a pool or building a storage shed
-Major revisions such as a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel or bedroom remodel
In general, anything that improves the functionality of the home or makes it more modern will improve the value of your property. By providing accurate records to the appraiser for any of these major improvements, the actual appraisal can reflect the work that has been completed over the last 12 months, 1-5 years, and 6-10 years.
