Research comparable homes in your neighborhood prior to appraisal.
A home appraisal has a huge effect on your property and your finances, so it's important to have your home appraised for as high a value as possible. By taking steps to prepare your home -- and yourself -- for the appraisal, you will benefit from being able to list your home at the right price when it comes time to sell. Getting ready for an appraisal is much like getting ready for an open house, so if you're preparing to sell you will find your efforts doubly worth your while.
Repairs
No repair is too small to take care of before a home appraisal. Fix leaky faucets, peeling paint and damaged screens, and make sure your smoke detectors have fresh batteries in them. Big repairs are even more important, and broken drain pipes, damaged doors and fencing, non-functioning garage doors and bad roofing must be taken care of prior to the appraisal. If you cannot address these concerns before the appraisal, at least have documentation that you've received an estimate to have the repairs completed.
Curb Appeal
First impressions are important in appraisals, and it's important to take care of the way your home looks in addition to its functionality. The Homecheck website for inspectors, appraisers and contractors recommends clearing and trimming the bushes and trees in front of your house so the appraiser has a clear view of the property upon driving up to it. Also, make sure your house has a fresh coat of paint on it to give it. If it was recently painted, retouch any areas that have been scuffed or smeared.
Interior
First and foremost, make sure that the clutter is cleared out of the rooms. The appraiser must be able to see the size of the rooms, and if there is too much furniture blocking his view, the rooms will appear small. Make it easy for the appraiser to do his job by removing obstacles that could make it difficult for him to access the rooms, attic or basement. Clean up, and make arrangements for your pet to be out of the house while an appraisal takes place.
Paperwork
Gather any paperwork from home improvements or repairs that you've made, as well as any other information you have on the home. Have a list of the improvements you've made, accompanied by any receipts, so that the appraiser doesn't have to estimate on the cost of the improvements. Create a sheet detailing the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other aspects of your home that may increase its value, such as a sun room, finished basement or guest house. Other paperwork to have handy is your most recent property tax bill, any building plans, land titles, and recent home appraisals or inspection reports.
Considerations
Don't assume that the appraiser will identify all of the valuable aspects of the property without your help. While it's important not to be pushy, providing the appraiser with the appropriate documentation and highlighting features by making them easily accessible makes his job much simpler. AOL Real Estate writer Jason Hahn also suggests welcoming the appraiser as a guest in your home by being friendly and answering all questions honestly.
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