9 Tips to Maximize Your Home Appraisal Value

A home appraisal can help you get the desired value for your property. While a home appraisal is based on the age, amenities, condition, location and several other factors of the house, you can do your bit by conducting minor changes to enhance the look of your home. 

1. Improve the Curb Appeal

A good first impression can set the right tone for a home assessment. Keeping your house tidy, pressure washing the driveway and neatly trimming the shrubs can create a good image for the appraiser. Maintaining and cleaning your exteriors can increase the chances of getting the valuation you want.

2. Clean Your House

Though cleanliness may not directly impact your home appraisal, it can leave a positive impact on the appraiser. Deep cleaning before a home appraisal includes vacuuming your carpets and rugs, scrubbing visible stains on your tiles and flooring and decluttering your home. 

3. Remember the $500 Rule

Most appraisers value the property based on $500 increments. Even minor problems, such as a leaky faucet, damaged windows or missing handrails, can significantly affect your appraisal value. Consider undertaking these repairs before getting a home appraisal to get the best value for your house.

4. List Your Updates

If you've invested in upgrading your house in recent years, don’t shy away from mentioning it to the appraiser. Make a list of the upgrades with all the supporting receipts and documents. This way, the appraiser can know how much effort you have put into your home.

5. Compare with Home Values in the Neighborhood

Knowing your comparables gives you valuable insight into the appraisal value you might get for your house. Look at the homes in your area similar to yours sold in the past six months. It helps you get an estimated average of how your house stacks against others in the area. 

6. Highlight the Desirable Features

You know about the most desirable features of your home, so make a list of the things you can speak about that other houses in the area don’t have. It lets the appraiser know what your house has to offer over others.

7. Make Small Upgrades

While repainting the walls or doing minor repairs may not make a huge difference in your house’s appearance, it can boost your appraisal value. Giving a fresh coat of paint to dull-looking objects and walls and installing new cabinet hardware can revitalize the whole house.

8. Pay Attention to the Outside

Keeping your lawn mowed, plants and flower beds trimmed and swimming pool clean can create a good impression on the appraiser. Since the outside area is the first thing anyone sees, keeping it clean and well-maintained can help improve your home appraisal.

9. Consider the Surroundings

The location and neighborhood can significantly affect the value of a property. So don’t forget to mention the schools, supermarkets and other attractions nearby, as the appraiser may not be familiar with the surrounding area.



Posted by Website Programmer on
Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.