An appraisal is a conclusion of your home’s market value — the amount of money a comparatively educated buyer would pay for a home that has been on the market for a reasonable time period. The appraiser arrives at the value by comparing your property to similar, or”comparable,” houses in the area that have offered in the last few months. Homes which have sold are supposed to have sold for market value. Adjustments are made for the differences between the comparables and the topic residence. In that way, the appraisal is fairly objective: The appraiser understands an excess bedroom, for example, adds a certain amount of value. On the other hand, the appraisal is considered to be a quote, which means there is room for subjectivity. Creating a favorable impression, so, will be able to help you get a high home appraisal.
Improve your curb appeal. The better-maintained your home’s exterior is, the more likely the appraiser is to assume that the inside is cared for, also. Mow your lawn, clean up the yard, weed the garden. Repair or replace hardscaped items such as walkways and retaining walls. Trim bushes in the front of the home. Repaint, if needed, or powerwash your home’s exterior if it seems grimy.
Spruce up your home’s entrance. First impressions count. Repaint the door and trim. Put shoes and jackets away. Stash keys, mail and other items that accumulate near the front door from sight.
Clean up clutter. Go through your home and pack up items which don’t have a home. Store them in the garage or basement briefly.
Wash the walls to remove dirt, fingerprints and scents. If the walls are stained, crazy-colored or your home has strong pet, smoke or food aromas, repaint them.
Steam clean and deodorize your carpeting, taking good care to remove stains. If regular cleaning does not do the job, try blotting some hydrogen peroxide on a concealed area of the carpeting. Wait 24 hours. If the color has not bleached out, use the peroxide to remove stains that remain following steam cleaning.
Regrout your kitchen, bath and floor tiles. Vibrant white grout provides the appearance that the tile is fresh.
Wash out the house top to bottom. Polish vacuum, mop the floors and scrub the kitchen and baths. Use lightly scented cleaners, if possible, to prevent giving the appraiser the impression you’re trying to cover scents — even if you are.
Gather receipts for all the improvements you’ve made yourself or hired contractors to perform. Collect copies of building permits and zoning and building code certifications in order to document the work was done correctly.
Produce a pleasing ambiance which engages all the senses. Soon prior to the appraiser is scheduled to arrive, then turn on all the lights. Light candles that are scented. Perform soft background music.