How to Get the Highest Appraisal for My House
Are you selling your house or refinancing your mortgage? Either way, you want to get the highest possible appraisal for your house. There are several steps you can take, from simple housecleaning to more serious upgrades to the structure and property. The aim is to increase the perceived value of your home before the appraiser arrives to inspect it.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean the house. A good first impression is crucial. Dirty dishes in the sink and smoke-filled rooms are likely to put off an appraiser, says Vilma de Guzman, a real estate agent with more than 30 years of experience in San Francisco.
-
2
Tidy up both the inside and outside of the house so it's presentable. Are cat scratches all over the wall? Paint the walls if they need it and the exterior as well, if possible. Plant flowers in the garden, cut the grass, rake the leaves and make any other landscape improvements.
-
-
3
Repair and fix everything. Is a window broken? Is there a plumbing problem? Make sure everything is in working order.
-
4
Check current selling prices of similar properties in your neighborhood. Use this information as a benchmark before getting the appraisal.
-
5
Send your children and pets to a friend or relative on the day of the appraisal. If the appraiser is too distracted, you can't expect your house will necessarily get the most accurate and highest value.
-
6
Did you remodel your kitchen last year? How much did you spend for it? Make a list of recent improvements and upgrades, and show it to the appraiser.
-
7
It is best if your real estate agent can also come to your house during the inspection, Guzman says. Both you and your agent are trying to get the highest value possible, so you should work together toward that end.
-
8
Do not distract or stress the appraiser by talking too much. Be friendly and cooperative, and give the appraiser a good impression of both the house and its owner.
-
1
