When homeowners are looking to upgrade their property or are planning a home moving project in the near future there are a seemingly endless list of things to do. With all those responsibilities and concerns lurking in the back of your mind it’s very easy to let some things slip through the cracks but one of the most important first steps any homeowner planning on selling should take is to ready their property for a thorough, professionally-performed home appraisal. This detailed exploration of the value of your home will determine a reasonable estimate of what the home buyers on the market will be willing to pay for your home in comparison to similar ones in similar areas.
That said, making sure that your estimated property value is as high as possible following your home appraisal often can be a challenge and without careful preparation you can end up losing money on the sale of your home despite all the carefully crafted additions, remodels, and forms of upkeep, making your move much more frustrating and stressful than it has to be. With that in mind, here are a few of the most surefire dos and don’ts when you’re preparing your property for the home inspection which determines your appraisal value:
Home Appraisal Dos
- Basic landscaping is appreciated by home buyers and home appraisers alike. Be sure to contact professionals about landscaping services including lawn care and minor gardening refreshing as well as tree services like trimming and fresh fertilization.
- Highlight your home’s most utilized rooms. Home appraisers pay particular attention to the quality and appearance of your kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling history. Be sure that these rooms are well lit, meticulously cleaned, and updated with energy efficient appliances whenever possible.
- One of the major factors which home buyers are keeping an eye on more and more today is the energy efficiency of their prospective property purchases. This means that home inspectors and home appraisers will be keeping a keen eye on things like the ambient comfort of your home and signs of cracks, gaps, and other energy loss indicators which naturally arise over time. Carefully applying weatherstripping and insulation to your home before the appraisal is an excellent way to reduce these points of energy loss and effectively raising the estimate which is provided at the end of the appraisal.
Home Appraisal Don’ts
- Excessive or high maintenance additions and services will be off-putting to a number of home buyers. Overtly decorative landscape designs, swimming pool installations, or bold exterior or interior painting choices can be perfect in your eyes and far from in the eyes of others.
- Don’t downplay the difference your remodeling projects have made to the property. Home appraisers see countless homes every year and have a lot to keep track of in terms of what buyers are looking for, what surrounding homes have to offer, and what your home may possess in particular so when they arrive at your home to perform your home inspection humility is the last thing you should be focused on. Talk up the points that make your home special and the appraisal value you receive will show it.
- Present the opportunity for your home to be someone else’s rather than showing the home you've crafted. Simplify your living spaces to be as open and inviting as possible to make sure that when your home inspection is performed, the appraiser can clearly see the spaces which home buyers can comfortably fit in.
