How to Get a Home Appraisal in Harris County, Texas

A home appraisal is a market valuation of real estate or property by a professional. Before a bank or lender will invest their money in your home loan, they will require an appraisal to ensure the property is as valuable as you say it is. The collateral for the loan must be valued at no less than the amount of the loan you are requesting. The bank will usually choose the appraiser if you are buying. If you'll be selling your Harris County home, you can hire an appraiser to help set a price. To get a home appraisal, follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Interview appraisers, seeking one with experience appraising real estate in your anticipated price range and area.

2. Check with the Texas Real Estate Commission to ensure your chosen appraiser has a valid, current license.

3. Ask about rates and timelines. Timelines should include how long the appraisal will take, how soon an appointment is available and when the report should be ready.

4. Clean and repair the property before the appraisal. Scrub dingy areas and remove clutter both inside and out. Touch up paint where needed, repair any woodwork in disrepair and fix leaky faucets. Spend a few dollars on flowering potted plants to dress up the entryways.

5. Make sure all parts of the house and property are accessible. They will need to see the inside as well as outside, so keep all entries and exits clear.

6. Let your appraiser know about upgrades like recently replaced wood floor or carpet, heated floors, new wood stove or solar power capabilities. They may not be part of the closing record but can significantly alter the selling price of a home. A bullet-point list of improvements and upgrades is handy to have, if you have time.

7. Be on time to your appraisal appointment. Professionalism on your part will reflect positively on your report.

8. Require a completed report before full payment. You may be asked to pay a partial payment upon appraisal but true professionals will wait until they have completed their research and valuation before submitting a bill to you.

9. Inform your appraiser if a home in your area sold far under or over market value and why. Upgrades like recently replaced wood floor or carpet, heated floors, new wood stove or solar power capabilities may not be part of the closing record but can significantly alter the selling price of a home.

10. make sure there are at least three market comparisons that are similar to your real estate included in the report.

Tips & Warnings

• Harris County, Texas, is comprised of mainly suburban and urban areas. Be aware that the value of your home will depend not only upon age and condition, but also upon the neighborhood in which you live.

• The largest city in Harris County is Houston. Harris County is ranked first among Texas counties for population and is one of the most populous counties in the nation. It is likely that the closer the home you are having appraised is to the city limits of Houston, the higher its value will be.

• Before beginning the appraisal process, review what the local appraisal district has on record as the property and improvement value for the home you own or wish to buy.

• After receiving your certified home appraisal, compare the results with other properties of similar size, age and condition within your neighborhood. The Harris County Appraisal District Web site allows for searching by owner name, property address or property account number.

• Keep in mind that due to real estate market factors, a property's appraised value may not be the same as its market value.

• Ensure that your appraisal is being performed by a reputable appraiser. It is not advisable to simply pick a name out of the phone book. Instead, rely upon the referral from your appraisal district, lending institution or real estate agency.