How To Prepare Your Home For An Appraisal

Whether you're refinancing your mortgage or selling your home, a home appraisal can be a crucial step in determining the value of your property. But how do you ensure a successful appraisal? In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps you and your Realtor need to take to prepare for a home appraisal.

Step 1: Clean and Declutter

First impressions matter, and this holds true for home appraisals as well. A clean and clutter-free home will not only make a positive impact on the appraiser but also allow them to focus on the features and condition of your home. So, roll up your sleeves and start decluttering. Remove any personal items, excess furniture, and unnecessary belongings. Ensure that the surfaces are clean and the rooms are well-organized.

Step 2: Complete Minor Repairs

Before the appraisal, it's essential to take care of any minor repairs that might be noticeable. Walk through your home with a critical eye and fix issues like leaky faucets, loose doorknobs, or broken tiles. These small details may seem insignificant, but addressing them can help enhance the overall impression of your home's condition.

Step 3: Highlight Improvements

If you've made any significant upgrades or renovations to your home, don't forget to highlight them to the appraiser. Provide documentation, receipts, and photos of these improvements. This will help the appraiser understand the value and quality of the upgrades and factor them into their assessment.

Step 4: Curb Appeal Matters

The first impression of your home starts from the outside. Pay attention to your home's curb appeal by tidying up the yard, mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and clearing any debris. Consider adding colorful potted plants or flowers near the entrance to create an inviting atmosphere. Be sure to clean the moss off your roof - this can be a crucial item depending on a buyer’s loan type. A well-maintained exterior not only boosts your home's overall appeal but sets a positive tone for the appraisal.

Step 5: Share Neighborhood Information

Your Realtor will play a vital role during the appraisal by sharing neighborhood information and comparable sales data. They can provide the appraiser with recent sales in the area, including similar properties that have recently sold or ones currently on the market. This helps the appraiser gain a comprehensive understanding of the local market and ensure a fair evaluation of your property.

Step 6: Prepare a List of Upgrades and Features

Before the appraiser arrives, prepare a list of all the upgrades, features, and special amenities your home possesses. These could include a new HVAC system, energy-efficient appliances, hardwood floors, a finished basement, or a recently installed roof. By providing a comprehensive list, you ensure that no important features are overlooked during the appraisal process.

Step 7: Install Home Protection Devices

Appraisers typically take note of the overall condition and safety features of a property during their assessment. Functional carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are considered essential components that contribute to the habitability and safety of a home. These must be installed prior to an appraisal.

Step 8: Install Earthquake Straps

Seismic straps secure the water heater to the wall, mitigating the risk of tipping during seismic events. This precaution not only aligns with building codes in earthquake-prone areas but also reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding your home. Appraisers often take note of such preventive measures and this tends to be a requirement by most Lenders.

Step 9: Make Sure You’ve Got Handrails

Do you have stairs leading to your home? Do you have a deck? A common guideline is that handrails should be installed at a height between 34 and 38 inches above the nosing of the stair treads. Guardrails for balconies and elevated platforms typically have a minimum height requirement, often around 36 inches. Appraisers take into account the adherence to building codes, including proper railing heights, as it directly impacts the overall habitability and market value of a home.

By collaborating with your realtor and executing these guidelines, you set the stage for a fair and accurate evaluation of your home's worth.