Things to do before a house appraisal

If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, you’ll likely need to have it appraised. But before you get the ball rolling, it’s important to understand what to do before a house appraisal.

What does a house appraisal consist of?

Different to a valuation, which is conducted by a Certified Practising Valuer, an appraisal is an educated estimate of the value of your property conducted by a qualified real estate agent.

The first step for the agent is to visit your home to assess the size, layout, number of rooms, quality of fixtures, how well it has been maintained, and so on. They may ask you some questions about your home to ensure they have a complete picture.

Next, the agent will compare your home’s assessment with other similar properties in the area that have recently sold. This helps with determining an accurate appraisal that is representative of the current market demand.

Not only will the specifics of your home be taken into consideration, but also the current state of the market, and any interest and feedback from buyers who are actively looking in the area.

The agent will then get back to you with the figure they believe is accurate based on all of the above-mentioned contributors.

Checklist for preparing for a home appraisal

Before you book in to have your home appraised, it’s time to get prepared. Here are some of the things you might want to consider doing beforehand:

• Find a real estate professional you trust – Choosing an experienced real estate professional to complete your appraisal is an important step. Not only will they have reliable market knowledge and connections with potential buyers, but they will be able to advise you on what to do to enhance your property before it hits the market.
• Complete any odd jobs left on your to-do list – If you’ve been meaning to repair a broken handle or two, replace a cracked tile or freshen up with a lick of paint, now is as good a time as ever. Presenting your home in the best light can show that it has been well maintained and is move-in ready.
• Make a list of any renovations or updates you’ve made – There’s a good chance you’ve done some repairs or made some upgrades to your property while you’ve owned it. If so, it’s worth having a list of these things on hand to show the agent when they are doing your appraisal, but also when it comes time to sell. Whether you’ve had the kitchen fully remodelled, the gutters replaced, or the whole house rewired, the listing agent and prospective buyers will want to know.

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