Home appraisals are done by real estate professionals. These inspections allow you to know the current value of your home in the eyes of the bank. Appraisals are a very important part of the home selling and buying process. Whether you are refinancing or selling the home, you want this number to come in as high as possible. Before you schedule your home appraisal, here are three things you can do to prepare for the appointment:
Cleaning
Cleaning the home is a great way to help present its condition at its best. If the home is too cluttered and dirty, this can affect how the condition of the home is valued. Giving a home appraiser a good first impression is the right way to go. Getting rid of pet smells or other unpleasant odors with a thorough carpet cleaning is a great way to help. Scrubbing walls and getting rid of stains in the bathroom will help things look better. Some rooms may look larger if you remove bulky decor or furniture. The home appraiser is judging the bones of the home, not your home decor choices. If your home needs a lot of cleaning, consider hiring professional cleaners. Ask your realtor for recommendations!
Repairs
Consider making some minor repairs if there are some obvious signs of damage. If there is any damaged drywall in the home, this can be a quick and easy job. Consider doing some paint touch-ups to the interior of the home. If you have lightbulbs to replace, do this before the appointment. Your home will present better with good lighting.
Yard Work
Leaving leaves, trash, or other debris in the yard will make things look unkempt. First impressions start when someone pulls up to the front of the home, Roots from trees or weather changes can cause cracking and other issues in the cement on the driveway, walkways, or patio. This type of concrete damage can affect the value of the property. Consider having concrete professional fill cracks or help you level the pads.
Take the time to do this preparation and get ready for your home appraisal. This early attention to detail can help your home be assessed for more and help you walk away with more money. Take the time to do it right; if your home is valued too low, this might cause the sale to fall through. Do the work and let your realtor know you think your home is ready for this next step in the transaction process!