This is it. You’re ready to put your home on the market or finally have it refinanced. There’s one last major hurdle: the home appraisal. You’ve put a good deal of time and money into your home, and you want the appraisal to reflect that. No worries. These ways to prepare for a home appraisal will help you get the most value for your home!
Conduct your own inspection.
Before the appraiser steps into the home, sweep through it yourself. Check for faulty fixtures like loose floorboards, ceiling cracks, and damaged walls. This inspection can alert you to things that may ding you during the appraisal. This is one of the first ways to prepare for a home appraisal.
Handle the fixes that you can.
If you spot a problem you can fix during the inspection, it’s in your best interest to take care of it. Forking over a few hundred dollars to improve your home can increase your home’s value once the appraisal is said and done. If you decide not to, you could end up losing thousands in value.
Clean up.
A good cleaning can boost your home’s appeal, even giving your appraisal a nudge north. Go through and perform a deep clean, scrubbing areas not normally addressed in your cleaning routine. This can include baseboards, cabinet interiors, and gutters.
Do some outside research.
To help gauge your home’s market value, feel out what other homes in your area were appraised, or sold, for. Ask neighbors, check the public record, or research online. Doing this can help you determine where your home’s value might stand.
Tend to the yard.
Curb appeal counts. And it’s one of the easiest ways to prepare for a home appraisal. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and take care of fallen trees. A quick spruce-up around the yard can have a positive effect on your home’s appraisal.
Mention updates.
If you’ve recently added new carpet or remodeled the kitchen, let the appraiser know. He or she will take this into account as they appraise your home. It’s also good to mention new roadways, openings, or attractions in the area. Bringing these things up during the appraisal could push that number even higher. Don’t hover around the appraiser the entire time, but don’t be afraid to speak up when you have the chance!
Make sure things work.
From sinks to smoke alarms, make sure the appliances and safety measures in your home are working properly. While an appraisal is not as thorough as a home inspection, the little things do get noticed—and can add up, for better or worse.
Summary
Is a home appraisal on your horizon? Let Ryan Roberts help you out! Ryan has served the Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin areas for years—and has the expertise to help you get the most value for your home. Feel free to contact him through this form.
No matter your real estate needs, Ryan Roberts can get things rolling. Whether buying or selling, he has you covered. For more quick and dirty tips on anything and everything home, be sure to read through our blog!
