An essential part of selling a home is the appraisal. Here’s how to plan it.
You have a contract to sell your house and now the appraiser is coming. The appraisal must have a good price for your buyer to obtain his loan. What should you do?
The appraiser says
Appraisers often tell people not to do anything special before coming. They tell the owner that they see a lot of houses and that they can look past some clutter and dust. “Don’t be nervous,” they advise. Appraisers are sincere people. I’m sure they mean what they say.
I say
On the other hand, appraisers are human. They respond to cleanliness and order and good maintenance in the same way that buyers do. If your hair has come down, return your home to “show” condition before the appraiser arrives.
Everything you know about a neat approach to your home, well-covered flower beds, door knobs that are firmly attached and work smoothly, no fingerprints, no clutter, and everything else applies. Take a look at a “Uniform Residential Appraisal Report” form if you have questions about me. The age of the household and the “effective age” are requested in the “General Description”. Don’t you think how well your home appears to be cared for affects the number listed under “effective age”?
The Uniform Appraisal Report requires information on the materials (and their condition) used for floors, walls, trim and trim elements, bathroom floors and siding, and for interior doors. Appraisers are trained to figure out these details. If yours is dusted, polished, and free of scratches or fingerprints, don’t you think you could be pushing your appraisal in the right direction?
The Report also asks about kitchen equipment (refrigerator, stove and oven, garbage disposal, dishwasher, fan and hood, microwave, washer and dryer). Do you think it would be a good idea to have them clean and purring?
The Report asks about amenities like fireplaces, patios, decks, porches, fences, pools, and sheds. If an appraiser is going to take special note of such things, shouldn’t they be swept up, cleaned, and have paint in good condition? Also, clean the gutters if they need to. If it must be raining on the day the appraisal is done, you’ll want your home to handle rainwater well.
Let me share the “comments” section of an appraisal that gave homeowners what they wanted. I think it will give you a good idea of what you need to do. “The item is well maintained and no physical, functional, or external deficiencies were noted. Marketability is enhanced by hardwood floors throughout most of the home, a renovated kitchen, fresh interior and exterior paint, windows in the transom, built-in elements, a front porch, a backyard, a large storage shed, 4 fireplaces, etc. “
The appraiser is a human being. Make sure you do everything you can to attract them and you will get a good appraisal.