By: Jerika P – i-Lead Realty Social Media Manager
When you sell your home, one of the first steps is to get an accurate home appraisal. A home appraisal is a professional estimate of your property’s worth that helps you price your home competitively and avoid underselling it. It is also a valuable reference for lenders, who may accept the home appraisal as evidence when evaluating your buyer’s mortgage application.
What is a home appraisal?
A home appraisal aims to assess your home’s market value based on its features and comparable properties in the same area. Appraisers use data from local real estate agents and records from multiple sources to determine the matter and their observations from an in-person inspection of the property’s condition, amenities, and size.
To ensure an accurate home appraisal, it is essential to provide the appraiser with as much detail as possible: a copy of the deed, floor plans, title report, home improvement receipts, comparable properties, and pending cases, as well as neighborhood details such as schools, attractions, and public transportation. Documenting all this data should not be too difficult since you’ll likely have compiled it during the selling process.
What do you need to do?
You should also prepare the property for the appraiser to get an accurate home appraisal. Make sure it is clean and in good working order. Repair any apparent problems, such as broken windows, water leaks, or uneven floors, and bring any remodeling, improvements, or renovations you’ve made since buying the home to the appraiser’s attention, as these can impact the appraisal’s rating.
Anything else?
Lastly, it is essential to be aware of any aspects of the home that may influence its value, positively or negatively, such as unusual features, vintage touches, or even the neighbors. Accurate notes on all of these will help the appraiser provide you with the best estimate of your property’s value.
If you are searching for a Real Estate Professional or would like to learn more, you can contact us here.
Not sure if you want or need to use a realtor? Here are 4 reasons why you should. Watch the video here