Help an Appraiser Write a Higher House Appraisal
A house appraisal is a documented “opinion” of the value of your home. While real estate appraisers are trained to provide objective estimates, based upon comparisons with neighboring homes—an appraisal report is still a subjective estimate. Make it your business to help an appraiser see the pluses of your property.
Real estate appraisers who work for the buyer’s lender are most concerned with the bare details of your home things like square footage and overall structural integrity.
New living room carpet might not be enough to impress the appraiser. But details do matter. There are a number of things you can do some more affordable than others to inspire a higher house appraisal.
If your home is well taken care of, it will show from the property to the paperwork. Appraisers, just like homebuyers, prefer appealing houses. A clean, accessible, updated and functional home makes a good impression from the start.
Prepare your home, along with any supporting documents, so your house appraiser can easily get to know and love your property the way you do. Many of the things you can do to please an appraiser cost little more than thoughtful consideration and extra effort.
Make Your Home Navigable
Your appraiser needs to move through your property with ease in order to work efficiently. Gates and doors should open and close easily, with secure and working locks. Entrances to a crawl space, attic or closet should be reasonably convenient and well maintained.
Remove any objects that turn your property into an obstacles course including pets. The appraiser will need to measure square footages, reaching behind doors and around furniture. Clear away boxes, piles and too much furniture. A clutter-free experience helps your appraiser focus on the better qualities of your home to produce a more positive house appraisal.
Clean and fix as if For the Ultimate Guest
Spruce up your home for the appraiser as if you are anticipating a royal guest. Cleaning doesn’t cost much, but the extra detailing will make your home stand out among the rest.
Erase any history of smoke or pet smells with deep cleaning and new carpet and padding. Install new filters in the heating and air conditioning. Clean all vents and baseboards.
Fresh paint remains the indispensable home improvement, breathing new life into old walls. If necessary, paint or refinish the front door for that first impression. Add planters around the entrance and a few fresh flowers in the tour of your home.
While real estate appraisers are not always required to report damages in an appraisal report, things like loose tile or a hole in the wall do impact the perception of your home. Decide whether it’s worth possibly selling your home for less or investing in repairs for a higher perceived market value.
Upgrade to Contemporary
Keeping up with the Jones’s to a degree helps with a higher house appraisal. Weigh whether it’s worth it to add a bathroom or new siding. But some simple upgrades automatically add to the value of your home.
Energy efficient appliances are always welcome sights, adding to the functionality and savings of your home. Quality contemporary hardware and light fixtures help enhance the interior. Attention to landscaping also improves a home’s attractiveness and curb appeal.
Provide Your Own Paperwork
The more you give an appraiser to work with, the better your odds for a higher house appraisal.
Even though an appraiser’s job is to compare your house with others in the neighborhood, you can supplement with your own printed list of a few choice comps in the area. You or your realtor can also provide any information related to the pending sale of your home. Also make available any supportive maintenance or inspection records as well as any information on valuable upgrades you’ve added.
Licensed appraisers want to know how your home compares with others in the neighborhood. If your home is especially well kept, easy on the eye and up to date, you have a better chance of influencing how an appraiser appreciates your home value.
QUICK TIPS
• A house appraisal is a documented “opinion” of the value of your home.
• Real estate appraisers provide objective home appraisals, (based upon comparisons with neighboring homes) but an appraisal report is still a subjective estimate.
• Make it your business to help an appraiser see the pluses of your property.
• A clean, accessible, updated and functional home makes a good impression for a higher house appraisal.
• Make your home easy for the appraiser to move through gates and doors should open and close easily.
• Paint or refinish the front door for that first impression.
• Decide whether it’s worth investing in repairs and upgrades for a higher house appraisal, or whether you would rather sell your home for less.
• Simple upgrades like home appliances and contemporary light fixtures automatically add to the perceived market value of your home.
• Provide the appraiser with any supportive maintenance or inspection records as well as any information on valuable upgrades you’ve added.
• Simple affordable home improvements can inspire an appraiser to give a higher house appraisal.
