A real estate appraisal is used to assist creditors, buyers and sellers of property come into an understanding of how much a house is worth, or its market value. An appraiser will visually inspect the house and compare it to similar homes in the area that have sold. He’ll find out more about the area and take note of topics, such as crime rate and high quality of schools, access to highways, and access to public locations. You can’t change which neighborhood your house is located in or just how well it was constructed, however there are things you can do to optimize your appraisal.
Clean your property. Wash dishes, clean away litter, store or give away anything you don’t use on a regular basis, clean flooring, rid the house of odors. Clean as if business were coming. An appraiser will attempt to observe the house through the eyes of potential buyers, checking for any red flags that could prevent a buyer from making an offer, so eliminate those red flags by giving the house a thorough cleaning.
Leash your dog. If at all possible, send your dog to play with a neighbor dog or shop him in an area he enjoys being in while the appraiser is not there. Do not assume that the appraiser will love your pet. He’s got a job to do and his job will be hindered by a dog that is barking or jumping. If you do place the dog in a room, don’t forget to tell the appraiser what room it’ll be in to prevent a surprise. Wash any waste’s yard that the dog has left .
Make repairs. Repair all those small items which you’ve managed to live with, such as drippy faucets, missing doorknobs, cracked light fittings, and nail holes in the wall. Again, the appraiser is going to examine the house as if he were a buyer and he knows that buyers want a repair-free house.
Collect your comparables. You can ask your real estate agent to get a list of similar home sales in your area, or if you’re working with no agent, collect your personal at websites like Zillow.com and PropertyShark.com. While the appraiser will do his own evaluation of similar sales, anything you add can be helpful. You need to list the basic details of their other homes, just how much they sold for, and how yours differs. Every amenity that your house has that those homes don’t will just increase your value.
Put a scrapbook. It should include receipts for any repairs and upgrades you’ve made to your house, and if possible, before and after photographs. Don’t hesitate to brag a bit about the unique items your house has, such as a pull-out spice stand in the kitchen, or towel warmer from the bathroom.
Manicure your lawn. The first thing the appraiser is going to judge about your property is your yard. Make certain that it is mowed and trimmed, so that there are no toys or jumble strewn about, that your backyard has no weeds, and that your driveway and sidewalk are swept.
Cooperate with your appraiser. Make sure he has access to all of the areas of the house he’s going to need to see and that there are no boxes or other large items for him to browse around to get into the basement, attic or garage. Answer any questions he has and ask him if he’d like for one to walk with him as he trips the house or if he’d like to be lonely. It never hurts to be polite.