How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

Appraising your home in Arlington determines the value of your property, and you want to maximize this number however you can. There are some things that are out of your control, like the layout and age of your home, but there are others you can manage to make sure your property is estimated at its full value. When you know what to expect from the home appraiser and the process, it makes things much easier. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your home appraisal so you aren't surprised.

Clean and declutter your lawn

Your lawn doesn't necessarily affect your property value, but it can certainly set the tone for what an appraiser expects when he enters the house. If you want to start with your best foot forward, clean up your lawn before the appraiser arrives. Mow the lawn, get rid of stray weeds, put away any toys or objects cluttering things up, and ensure an overall tidy appearance.

Make cosmetic touch ups outside

The outside of your home is highly susceptible to weather which can wear and tear it, and this can devalue your home. It is absolutely worth it to pay for a fresh coat of paint if yours is fading or peeling, because this will certainly affect the final appraisal price. You should also repair things like shutters, gutters, screens, and any other small but manageable aspect which might be in need of attention. The more little details you can handle, the better your final value will be.

Fix the little things

The little things on the inside are just as important as those on the outside. If you have faulty fixtures, broken handles, peeling paint, or anything that is out of order, it will likely affect your final value. Go over the inside of your home thoroughly before the appraiser arrives to ensure that these small things don't add up to a costly deduction from your property value.

Make a list of repairs and updates to point out

If you have put time and money into repairing and updating your home, you certainly want to point these things out. A talented appraiser may be able to spot updates and work, but you don't want him to miss anything that might raise the value of your home. Make a list of any work you have done, and draw attention to it as the appraiser is going over your home.

Put away your pets

You want to make the appraiser's job as easy and comfortable as possible to give the right impression. If you have friendly pets who will be underfoot, or unfriendly pets who may be less than pleased with the intrusion of an appraiser, this is certainly something you want to deal with before the appraiser arrives.

In order to get the right appraiser and make sure you do everything correctly before he comes to call, you may need assistance from a professional. An Arlington agent can tell you what you should know about home appraising before you begin. Contact us today to get in touch with a real estate agent who can help.