If you’re looking to sell your home or purchase a home using non-cash methods, you’ll want to request an appraisal. After you’ve requested a home appraisal, a certified appraiser will take into consideration the location of the home, the market condition, the comparable properties that have been sold recently, the neighborhood, and the age of the property. These factors can not be changed, but there are ways in which the seller can increase the home appraisal. Here are 3 areas of your home you can target to get a higher home appraisal.
The Structure of the Home
The appraiser is most likely going to look at the structure of the house before they even enter it. The structure of the home includes the foundation, the materials used, and the quality of the finish. The appraiser will also look for damages to the home, such as cracks, leaks, and defects.
While issues with a home’s foundation would likely require a professional, sealing all your doors and windows, painting the trim, and fixing small problems before they turn into bigger ones are all things you can do on your own.
Your Interiors & Amenities
When the appraiser enters the home, he or she will likely look at the condition of the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, appliance, and fixtures. The home appraiser will also consider the number of doors and windows inside the home, as well as the condition of the fixtures. For the amenities of a house, the home appraiser will increase the home appraisal based on the added convenience that the amenity can provide. The most common amenities that can add value to the home is a separate garage, fireplace, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, and security systems.
If remodeling isn’t in the budget, cleaning your home before an appraisal can brighten the house and it can highlight the features that can increase the home appraisal value. It is important that an appraiser sees the best features of a home at first glance since they are less likely to take a second look at these features again.
The Exterior of the Property
The exterior or your property, including its “curb appeal” plays a major factor in the value of the home.
If the appraiser finds that the garden is unkempt and the grass is uncut, the appraisal value of the property can be reduced. The decrease in home appraisal value due to a dirty lawn might appear insignificant, but it still has an effect.
Apart from a well-kept garden, the appraiser will be likely to check the condition of the fence. They can also check the structure and appearance of the swimming pool. The owner should remove dead leaves or debris that is floating around the pool so that they can provide a better impression on the appearance of the yard.
Bonus Tip: Upgrades Done on the Property
There could be additional improvements that have been done on a home that can be overlooked by the appraiser. These upgrades can increase the value of the home appraisal, but the appraiser might not be aware of these improvements. For example, the appraiser wouldn’t know that the owner upgraded the plumbing system if it is located behind the wall. If the owner has made renovations and upgrades to the property over the years, they should create a list and present it to the appraiser.
