Appraisal - Get The Most Value - It's Easy
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by: ConnieSanders
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If you are selling your home you should get an appraisal before you decide on the selling price. A real estate agent's market analysis will get you close to the right selling price, but a $3,000 to $5,000 variance is a lot of money. An upfront appraisal will protect your equity and be well worth the cost.
Understanding what is involved in appraising a your home can greatly help in maximizing the appraised value. The steps below are in the sequence normally followed by an appraiser:
1. An appraiser will research the home as to size, bedrooms, baths, year built, lot size and square footage.
2. Research data of recent sales in the neighborhood. The appraiser needs to locate at least 3 similar-sized homes that have sold with in the last six months. The homes also need to be within one mile of the subject property. These other homes are called the "Comparable Properties".
3. Next, the appraiser will perform a field inspection on the subject property's interior and exterior, and an exterior inspection on the comparable properties.
The subject property inspection consists of taking photos of the street scene, front of the home and rear of the home, which may include portions of the yard. The appraiser will make an interior inspection for condition, noting any items that would detract from or add to the value of your home. He will also draw a floor plan of the home while doing the inspection.
The comparable property's inspection is limited to the exterior. Features that cannot be seen from the street, the appraiser uses: reports from Multiple Listing Services (MLS), California Market Data Cooperative (CMDC), county public records, and appraisal files to help determine the condition.
4. When the field inspection has been completed the appraiser must determine which comparable homes most resemble the subject. Then he/she makes adjustments in value for any differences. The appraiser must go through a reconciliation process with the comparable properties to determine a final estimated value of the subject property. This method is called the "Direct Sales Comparison Approach to Value", and it accounts for nearly all of the considerations in determining value of a single-family property.
Remember that the appraiser will be taking photos of the street scene and the front and back of the home. The photo of the street scene gives the lenders some kind of idea as to the type of neighborhood the home is located. The picture of the front gives the lender an idea of its condition and curb appeal. The photo of the back of the home and part of the rear yard is another indicator of the home's care and maintenance.
Over 90% of the time what you see in the condition of a home exterior will be repeated almost exactly inside the home. So one of the most important things you can do to improve the value or perceived value is to enhance the curb appeal of your home, and don't forget to clean up the back yard.
An appraiser will call in advance to set up an appointment to inspect your home. At that time offer to supply any information about the home size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, pool, enclosed patio, etc. The more that is known about the property prior to inspection, the better the appraiser can focus on researching the most similar comparable. Doing your homework will maximize your chances of having a good appraisal.
While the appraiser is inspecting your home don't follow him from room to room causing distraction. Instead, allow the inspection to go smoothly. In case the appraiser has any questions, be close by to answer them. The time to mention the things you think are important is either before or just after the inspection.
In conclusion, the best thing you can do to increase the perceived value of your home is to get it ready before the appraisal. Clean it, put fresh paint where needed, and clear the clutter inside and out. You should also make any minor repairs needed and be sure to manicure the front and back yards!
About the Author
Connie Sanders is an advocate for consumer knowledge in the mortgage industry. Visit her site on FHA Guidelines to learn about your mortgage options. Connie also owns mortgageunderwriters.com which is another information rich site teaching mortgage guidelines.
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