8 Home Appraisal Preparation Tips
By ProMatcher Staff
How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal
1. Clean up
Before a home appraisal, make sure that your home is relatively clean. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but first impressions matter. You should dust, mop, vacuum, and wipe down all surfaces. A clean house looks well kept and that can be very important to the appraised value of your home. If there are papers all over your kitchen, you won’t be able to properly showcase your new granite countertops.
2. De-clutter
If you have extra furniture or other items cluttering up your home, pack it up and store it in the basement or garage. This process is similar to home staging. You do not need to rent furniture or take down family photos, but de-cluttering can make rooms feel more spacious.
3. Keep it cool
If it is a hot summer day, make sure to turn on the air-conditioning. The appraiser will feel more comfortable and he or she will know that the cooling system really works.
Learn More: Real Estate Appraisal Methodology
4. Lawn maintenance
Before the appraiser arrives, make sure to mow the lawn, pull weeds, trim trees and rake leaves. Curb appeal matters. You want to make a good first impression, starting with the outside of your home. If trees and hedges are overgrown, they can obstruct the appraiser’s view of your home.
Get Matched to a Tree Trimming Service in Your Local Area
5. Simple repairs
If any things are visibly broken, make sure to fix them. Although an appraisal is not a home inspection, an appraiser will take note of any obvious issues or defects. If you have a leaky faucet, make sure that it’s fixed before the appraiser arrives. Don’t feel pressure to make major home improvements, but do take care of any easy to fix issues. This can make a big difference.
6. Prepare a fact sheet
Before the appraiser arrives, you may want to prepare a brief fact sheet about your home and your neighborhood. You’ll want to make a list of any improvements that you’ve made to your home. For instance, if you have just installed stainless steel appliances or replaced the furnace, make sure to make note of that information. Additionally, you can include information about the neighborhood including information about the public schools, nearby grocery stores, or local parks. Although the appraiser should be familiar with the area, it cannot hurt to provide this supplemental information.
7. Let the appraiser do their job
Once the appraiser arrives, offer them a glass of water and give them the fact sheet that you’ve prepared. After that, give the appraiser their space. Don’t badger them with questions; just let them do their job. Also, if you have pets, make sure they don’t disrupt the appraiser while they are working.
8. How Much Does a Real Estate Appraisal Cost?
About the Author
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| ProMatcher Staff, ProMatcher
Orlando, FL 32803
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