The most effective home appraisal preparation steps are actually the most simple. After all, less is more and by making small changes, you do a lot to increase your home's appearance and appeal. The trick, of course, is doing what brings real ROI. Now, this doesn't mean it's going to be without effort but your time and attention will prove worthwhile, if you make the right choices.
Top Home Appraisal Preparation Steps
It's important to understand just how a home appraisal works. In other words, how most appraisers go through the process. Keep in mind, since it's your home, you will definitely be biased toward it. So, you might have put a lot of work into that popcorn ceiling removal but that won't necessary impress or discourage the home appraiser. What the appraiser is doing is independently verifying facts about your home and comparing to similar properties.
One common thread that runs through homeowners is that they typically think their home is the nicest in the development, according to Loreen Stuhr, veteran appraiser with Appraisers of Las Vegas. Stuhr goes on to say that the single most difficult challenge she faces in her business is trying to convince a homeowner otherwise. Whether or not you own the nicest home on the block, when it comes time to refinance or sell it, getting a high house appraisal is crucial. --AOL Real Estate
This is why a good garage cleanout helps and like prep work works quite well. The better presentation your house makes, the more favorable the appraisal, in general. Even though you won't be in the home much longer, it's totally necessary to put some resources into the property. (This is the case even if you are refinancing and staying in the home.) So, here are some of the top home appraisal preparation steps you can use:
- Improve the curb appeal. Did you know it only takes about 7 to 10 seconds for someone to form an impression of a home? When the appraiser arrives, you want your house to appear aesthetically pleasing. Just a light bit of landscaping can work wonders. A fresh-cut lawn with some mulch and colorful flowers on the porch will do the trick nicely.
- Fix everything that is broken. Anything that's broken needs repair -- it's that simple. This is particularly true for eyesores because you're trying to make the best impression possible. If it needs repair or replacement, don't rationalize your way out of it because it will hurt your property's value.
- Create a list of past improvements. If you've remodeled the kitchen or bathroom, created an outdoor living space, or done other significant home improvements, put these on a list. Give it to the home appraiser so he or she knows about them. Now, not everything will help but it's still worth the effort.
- Prepare a list of recently sold comparables. The home appraiser should do this and have a solid list of recently sold comparables. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case and it can present a real problem. Prepare a list of recently sold homes that are as similar to yours as possible to give to the appraiser.
If you need help getting your home ready for an appraisal with junk clean up, just phone 800-433-1094 or visit AAA Rousse Services. We can assist you with personalized service for all your junk removal needs.