Question: The lender has ordered an appraisal, what can I do to help the appraisal come in at a higher value?
Answer: A houses value is primarily determined by the location and size, but physical appearance and maintenance also affect the market value a great deal. Considering that fact, prepare your home as if a hot prospective buyer were coming.
Outside the home you’ll want to take a good look at the front, back and side yards. Remove clutter and debris, mow the yard, trim the hedges, and pull the weeds. A fresh coat of paint will always make a home appear newer and in better condition, though that may not be possible given budget or time constraints, but do consider at least touching up chipped paint.
Inside the home as well remove clutter, and again a fresh coat of paint will always make a home appear newer and in better condition. Bathrooms and kitchens should be free of mold and mildew. Shampoo the carpets, wax the floors and do all those little things that make your home look its best. And don’t forget to contain Fido in a kennel so the appraiser has full access to the property.
If you have recently completed any remodeling, or updates have a list prepared to give to the appraiser. For example: March 2003 – new tile in the kitchen, June 2004 – Central Air Conditioning installed, etc.
Though it is not necessary for you to follow the appraiser around the property, you should make yourself available to answer any questions he may have during his visit. And as with most things, being friendly and polite can’t hurt the end result.
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