Let’s make this simple. Too often do we see clients who are just frustrated and overwhelmed with the home selling, buying, and refinancing process. There is so much that you are already dealing with. That’s why we are going to keep this as simple and easy to understand as possible.
First, you need to know that different types of loans will require different appraisal checklists. We are going to provide you with a standard home appraisal checklist that will be based on a conventional home appraisal.
Why Do You Need an Appraisal Checklist?
An appraisal checklist is designed to help you get the most out of your appraisal. It is meant to help you better prepare for what to expect both from your appraisal and your appraiser. It is also to help guide and prepare your home so that you can get a higher valuation for your home.
An appraisal checklist is more than just a list. It is there to help you better understand what your appraiser is going to be looking out for. The point of an appraisal checklist is so that you can take an overall look at some of the more important things around your home.
Then you can check out if everything is in the condition that you want them to be in or if there is anything that you can do to update or fix the things that aren’t. It is best to do these things before your appraisal so they will be factored into the property’s valuation.
What Actually Affects Your Appraisal?
We wanted to quickly touch on some things that can affect your appraisal that not everyone thinks about.
Now, there are some things that will affect your appraisal that you have no control over. Such as the location or the current real estate market in your area.
And there are some things that you do have control over that will affect your appraisal. Here is a list of some smaller things that you can watch out for and do to help bring up the valuation of your property.
- Clutter – A small mess here or there or an unmade bed is not going to negatively affect your appraisal. On the other hand, a large amount of clutter and mess can make it difficult for your appraiser to properly evaluate your home.
- Cleanliness – A clean home is best when having an appraisal done. And no we don’t mean having some dishes in the sink is going to bring down your valuation. We are saying a lot of build-up dirt and grime will make it difficult to access what the condition is underneath.
- Appliances – Your household appliances are always important. Making sure they are in nice working order is great but updating your old appliances is even better if you can do it.
- Bedrooms – This isn’t something that most people can just increase without serious renovation costs. However, cleaning up, decorating, or updating bedroom lighting can make the bedrooms feel a little more crisp and clean.
- Curb Appeal – Adding a little something in front of your home will seriously help with your valuation. Cleaning up the porch and siding around your home and adding some potted plants or some furniture on your porch will really set the scene for what the home can be. This is best for when showing your home but can definitely help with the appraisal valuation too.
- General Maintenance – This is one that not everyone thinks about but is great for helping with the home’s valuation. Little things like fixing the ceiling fan, the cabinet door in the kitchen that’s falling off, the toilet float that always sticks, the light in the garage that always flickers on and off. Those are the little things that don’t take much to fix but will make all the difference.
Your Free Home Appraisal Checklist
- Condition! The condition of your home is very important. Your appraiser will be keeping an eye out specifically for any damages.
- Size. Next (and most importantly) the size of your home and property.
- Rooms! The number of rooms in your home changes the value dramatically and that includes more than just the bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Roof and Foundation. The roof and the foundation are incredibly important for obvious reasons. That’s why they are an important part of the home’s valuation.
- Utilities are very important. Making sure that all utilities like the HVAC unit and air conditioning work properly.
- Lighting and plumbing needs to be functional.
- Walls and ceilings undamaged. (holes, cracks, water damage, mold, etc.)
- Appliances! This is a big one. Appliances are very important not just for the sale of the home but also to help to raise the valuation. At the very least your appliances should be in working order.
- Landscaping. Curb appeal is huge and helps to increase the valuation of a home more than you might think.
- The swimming pool needs to be maintained and in working condition if you have one.
- Smaller details such as any remodeling, kitchen countertops, new bathroom fixtures, flooring, and other upgrades to make the home feel more modern or updated.
Here at R.E Appraisals, we care about our clients. We know that you are busy with normal everyday life stuff. Adding the stress of selling or buying your home is just more weight on your shoulders.
To help you reduce the weight you are dealing with we offer quick and easy appraisal reports for all of our clients. But that’s not all. We work with a real estate agent who lives in the Southwest Florida area and has over 20 years of local experience in the real estate industry.
If you would like to know more about what we can do to help you with your appraisal or with finding a real estate agent please give us a call at (941) 743-3700.
