If you’re a homeowner or plan to become one, you’ll likely need to get a home appraisal at some point in your lifetime. A home appraisal is a crucial part of any type of real estate transaction. Unlike the fair market value of a house, which is much more volatile and based on market conditions, the appraised value is a professional assessment of a home's condition and worth.
When it comes time to get a house appraised, people often have a few questions about the preparation process. They’ll usually ask questions like, “Does cleanliness affect a home appraisal?” or “What are some things that can hurt a house appraisal?”
It's important to prepare properly for a home appraisal beforehand. Without proper planning and preparation, you could risk losing valuable time and money.
Let's discuss a few things you'll need to know when preparing for a home appraisal.
Before discussing the proper house preparations you should make when having your home appraised, you should first understand exactly what the appraiser's job entails.
A home appraiser is a trained, state-licensed professional qualified by the IRS who determines a property's value. Their primary role is to conduct a thorough assessment of a property to provide an accurate valuation of its worth.
Their assessment provides a reliable appraised property value in the local market, which is essential for real estate transactions, mortgage financing, property taxation and insurance.
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When preparing for a home appraisal, homeowners should be aware of the primary factors and features an appraiser will look at. Appraisers assess the overall condition of the house, its location, age, property size, and any home improvements or additions.
To ensure fairness and accuracy, appraisers follow a set of uniform standards known as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The document promotes consistency and prevents bias.
During a home appraisal, a licensed appraiser will examine the following:
This includes its structure, layout, wear and tear, and the overall maintenance of the ceilings, floors, walls, windows, fixtures, amenities, cooling and heating systems, and possibly a few more relevant features. They'll also check any safety equipment, such as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
This includes the structure, layout, foundation, wear and tear, and the overall maintenance of the roof, siding, garage, walkways, gutter systems, porches, decks, and more.
A study published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics from the University of Texas at Arlington found that a property's curb appeal can influence up to 7% of its home’s appraisal value. Features like house paint, landscaping, driveways, lighting fixtures, and other exterior features can either positively impact or negatively affect the appraisal value, depending on how well they're maintained.
While examining these features, your appraiser will ensure the house is structurally sound, assess any recent improvements, and evaluate any damages or safety hazards.
You might be surprised to learn that appraisers often discover multiple red flags you might be overlooking in your house. The following are some factors that can negatively affect the appraisal value of your home:
The short answer to this question is: yes and no. No, a messy home won't directly affect its value, but it can definitely hinder the appraiser's ability to accurately assess the property. Though appraisers are trained to remain unbiased, an overly messy and unkept house might cause concern for its overall maintenance and condition as it could signal neglect and hide additional issues.
That being said, it's important to keep the following keynotes in mind:
A clean, well-maintained house is always the best state for presenting your home to an appraiser. It will always put your house in a better position for assessment and create a smoother appraisal process.
Your first home appraisal can be intimidating, especially if you have no idea how to prepare for the process properly. Luckily, licensed appraisers often have a few recommendations and tips to help you best prepare for an appraisal and possibly get a higher appraisal value. These include:
Preparing for home appraisals doesn't have to be a stressful task. Implementing the tips and information discussed should help you have a smooth appraisal process. If you still have questions about prepping your house for an appraisal, don't hesitate to reach out to a qualified appraiser with your questions.
Once your home is ready to be appraised, you can finally contact a certified appraiser in your area.
Appreeze provides remote inspections conducted by qualified appraisers with experience completing hundreds of appraisals in Florida. They use new technology to conduct official GPS-authenticated, appraiser-directed video appraisals.
Try Appreeze and find out how easy it is to get an appraisal online.