Are you planning to put your home on the market soon? Before you do so, it’s time to get ready for the home appraisal. You want to make sure that your home is in its best condition when the appraiser arrives, so use this guide as your go-to checklist before you say “house sold!”.

Your home can be a major asset, and understanding how home appraisals work will help ensure you get top dollar when selling. With that in mind, let's dive into some home tips to prepare your home for appraisal!

From assessing the home's condition to making necessary repairs - these steps will help make sure your property is evaluated at its highest value.



What Is Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is an unbiased estimate of the true value of a home. The appraiser inspects and assesses the home to determine how much it would bring on the open market if sold. Appraisers typically take into account home features such as condition, layout, amenities, and more to get an accurate assessment. The home appraisal helps lenders decide how much to lend for a home purchase or refinance, but also can be used by buyers or sellers when negotiating a sale price. Now that we know what home appraisal entails, let's look at some tips for preparing your home for it! So without further ado - here are some home tips to help you prepare your home for appraisal:

1. Assess the home’s condition - Make sure all systems in your home are functioning properly and that any necessary repairs have been made. Remember, even small improvements can add lots of value!

2. Clean up the home - One of the first things appraisers do when they enter a home is take pictures, so make sure your home is clean and tidy before they arrive.

3. Show off special features - If your home has unique features that make it stand out from other homes on the market, be sure to show them off! This could include anything from a new kitchen remodel to energy-efficient appliances or smart home technology.

4. Get an estimate for home repairs – If you don't have the time or budget to do home repairs yourself, it's a good idea to get an estimate from a professional home repair service. This can give you an idea of how much home repairs could potentially increase the value of your home.

5. Get organized - Before your appraiser arrives, make sure all necessary paperwork is organized and easily accessible. This includes home improvement receipts, warranties on appliances or home systems, tax records, and any other paperwork related to the home that may be relevant to the appraisal process.



Preparing Your Home for the Appraisal

A. Exterior of home




1. Do a home walkthrough - Take time to do one last home walk-through and make sure everything looks in order from the outside. This includes making sure grass is cut, home exterior is clean, windows are washed, and gutters are cleared.

2. Spruce up the landscaping - Landscaping can make a home look much more attractive, so consider adding some plants or flowers that will give your home curb appeal.

3. Check for broken items around home – Look for any broken fixtures or items around your home’s exterior and repair them before the appraiser arrives if possible.

4. Repair any problem areas - Be sure to repair any problem areas such as cracks in


B. Interior of home

1. Make home look spacious - Before the appraisal, it’s important to make sure your home looks as big and open as possible. This could include rearranging furniture, getting rid of any unnecessary items, and removing clutter from walls or shelves.

2. Improve home lighting - Lighting can drastically affect how a home looks, so consider investing in some new light fixtures to give your home a brighter and more inviting feel.

3. Repair any damage or imperfections - If there are any damages or imperfections inside the home, be sure to repair them before the appraiser visits. This includes fixing holes in walls, replacing broken appliances, and even just giving the home a fresh coat of paint if needed!

Making Repairs and Upgrades

1. Get home inspected - Before you start making any repairs or upgrades, it’s important to get your home inspected first. This will give you an idea of what needs to be done and how much it could potentially cost.

2. Upgrade home systems - If any home systems such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC are in need of repair or replacement, consider upgrading them before the appraisal. This can help increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

3. Make home improvements – Consider making some home improvements that can add value to your home such as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, adding a deck or patio, or installing energy-efficient appliances.

Evaluating the Market Value of Your Home

Once you have made all the necessary home repairs and upgrades, it’s time to evaluate your home’s market value. Here are some tips to help you do this:

1. Check comparable home values – Look at what other similar homes in your area have sold for recently. This will give you an idea of where your home may be valued.

2. Research home trends - Research current home-selling trends in your area so that you can make sure your home is competitively priced when compared to other homes on the market.

3. Get a real estate agent's opinion - Get an experienced and professional real estate agent's opinion on what they think your home could be worth in today's market




JUST PREPARE YOUR HOME!

Preparing your home for an appraisal is a process that takes time and effort. By taking the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your home will be appraised at its fair market value and get the most out of the home appraisal process. By following these home tips and making necessary home repairs, upgrades, and evaluations, you can get the most out of your home appraisal and make sure your home is ready to go on the market. With some preparation and care, you'll be able to maximize the value of your home when it comes time to sell! Good luck!