Certified Appraisal Prep & Tips

Appraisers can hack off hundreds, even thousands, of dollars from your home’s value just for having an unkempt yard and poorly maintained exterior. Therefore, mow the lawn, pull weeds, trim those hedges, repair and clean fences/gates and add a few flowers and mulch/rock in the flower beds.   

In addition, focus on the exterior of your home by having the roof professionally cleaned (never pressure wash), repair or replace wood rot, remove sprinkler rust stains, repair screens and perhaps even a good power washing or fresh paint. It may not seem like a big deal, but appraisers will factor peeling paint into their evaluation, especially if they are doing a FHA or VA mortgage appraisal. If you don’t have extra paint, you can use a razor blade to take a small swatch (size of a quarter) from the wall and have it color and finish matched at a paint store.

When an appraiser is evaluating your home, they’re bound to be influenced by any signs – big or small – that a property has not been well maintained and will be looking for signs of neglect, updating and overall condition. If you have cracked windows, torn, worn or stained carpets, chipped or worn paint,  faulty cabinets, a running toilet, cracked shower tiles, and the dog ate the corner of a door, these items will add up to an overall average condition rating. Also note that a home will appear to have more worth when it’s clean, so get your scrub brush out and get down to business to remove any dirt, grime, stains or odors.

Typical residential appraisal forms require the appraiser to estimate the time period of various renovations specific to the kitchen and bathrooms. If you know when the kitchen or baths were last renovated, consider writing down some notes for the appraiser. This also applies to other major renovations (flooring, fixtures, lighting, etc) and maintenance items (roof, water heater, AC, etc). Try to provide any association or property management contact information, general community information, or special mandatory association requirements if they are known to you. A copy of a survey is also always appreciated.  

Of your home and property. Such as, especially desirable location, anything that is eco-friendly, hurricane safe room, smart home features, state-of-the art water system or shop features etc.  

If there have been changes to your neighborhood, document them. Things like a new club house or if the area has recently been declared a historic or landmark district or road improvements etc. 

You paid for when you first bought your home. Doing so, may help you find the flaws from the first time around and allows you to cure any negative notations or adjustments.

Appraisers will pull public records to conduct their appraisal. You can check yours at: http://www.pbcgov.com/papa/  You can search by your address or name (last name first). If you find any information is not accurate, be sure to document.