How Should You Prepare for an Appraisal?

When selling your home, you want to get the most bang for your buck. That means you want a high-value appraisal of your home. To achieve this, you must put your best foot forward for the appraiser by completing appropriate prep for the appraisal in Napa County, CA.

If you’re not sure how to get ready for an appraisal in Napa County, CA, use the following tips. This guide will help you get your home in top shape so the appraiser sees the value in your property and evaluates it favorably.

Inspect your surroundings

Before the appraisal, complete your own inspection of your home. Start with the exterior. Are there any features that are in disrepair? Look at the roof, gutters and landscaping. Are there any eyesores that will detract from the value of your home? If so, do some sprucing up to boost your curb appeal, as this will also boost your appraised value.

Once you’ve completed your exterior inspection, move to the interior. Could your rooms use a fresh coat of paint? Is there any loose flooring? Are your bathroom fixtures outdated? Small things probably won’t add thousands of dollars to your home’s value, but the overall impression of the home is important. If it looks outdated and worn, this will have a negative impact on the appraisal.

If you realize there are some projects you need to complete, keep the “500 guide” in mind. This rule of thumb states that a renovation is worth doing if it will cost less than $500. These minor repairs or updates can increase the value of your home enough to make the investment worthwhile.

Do some recon

As part of his or her prep for appraisal in Napa County, CA, the appraiser will research homes in the area. The price of recent sales in your neighborhood directly affects the value of your home. To get an idea of what your appraised value will be, check public records to see what homes are selling for in the area. You can also speak with your neighbors to get more details. If a home sold for a much lower or higher price than others, there may have been special circumstances surrounding that sale.

Inform the appraiser

If you’ve made improvements on your home since you purchased it, tell the appraiser. New HVAC units, new roofs and updated interior features all add value to the home. If anything has changed in your area that makes it more desirable, be sure to point out these features as well. Perhaps the city installed a train station nearby, or your subdivision added a neighborhood park. While the appraiser may be familiar with your area, it can’t hurt to make sure he or she knows about recent improvements.

Learn more

For additional tips on how to prep for appraisals in Napa County, CA, contact the professionals at County Appraisals Inc. Our expertise includes agricultural-related properties typically developed as vineyards, wineries and rural estates, as well as single-family residential properties with acreage. Our services are available for lending, estate tax valuations, estate planning, purchase negotiations and more. Reach out to us today!

Categorised in: Real Estate Appraisals

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