If you are planning to list your home for sale, one of the first tasks that you will need to complete is to have a real estate appraisal done. The purpose of this appraisal is to provide potential buyers and their lenders with a clear, unbiased opinion as to the home's value. This helps both buyers and lenders ensure they are making a good investment when choosing to purchase your home.
A real estate appraiser will look at many different factors when determining the value of your property. Many of these factors will be completely out of your control. For example, the appraiser will consider the neighborhood your home is located in and the value of the surrounding properties. This is something that you cannot change. However, there are some things that you can do to increase the appraised value of your home. Choosing to complete these tasks can be very beneficial since a higher appraisal will ultimately result in your ability to sell your home for more.
Take The Time To Review Past Appraisals
Taking the time to review past appraisals that have been performed on your property will allow you to review what items resulted in a lower appraised value before. For example, if the appraiser noted issues with water damage in the basement, making sure that this damage is repaired before a new appraisal is completed is sure to raise your property value. If you do not currently have a copy of the past appraisals that were done on your home, you should be able to obtain these documents from your local property clerk's office for a small processing fee.
Don't Forget About Curb Appeal
Your home's appraised value has just as much to do with the appeal of your home as it does with the physical attributes of your home. The more appealing your home is, the more it is going to be worth. Consequently, it is very important to address any issues that could interfere with the curb appeal of your home. For instance, you will want to address any issues with overgrown or otherwise poorly maintained landscape. You will also want to address issues such as peeling or cracking paint on the exterior of your home.
Make Sure There Is No Clutter
Clutter can make your home less appealing, as well as interfere with the inspector's ability to access all areas of your home. This can ultimately result in a lower appraised value. If your home is overfilled with items you will not need prior to moving into your new home, now is a great time to move excess items into a self-storage unit. Not only can this help to raise the value of your home during an appraisal, but it will also help to improve your odds of selling your home once potential buyers start coming to view the property.
To learn more, contact a real estate appraisal company near you.
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