3 Things to Consider in an Appraisal
Having completed hundreds of appraisals we never really give much thought about what the homeowner must be thinking. Recently had a home appraised and was strange being on the other end of this process. Having a stranger come through my home taking photos and not conversing much was a little strange. Not an everyday occurrence for sure. Below are a few things to consider as to what the appraiser may be thinking about.
What is the condition of the home?
If your home is older is there much in the way of differed maintenance. I mean are there those “honey do” jobs that never got the attention they needed. Peeling paint, exposed exterior wood surfaces, soiled carpeting, damaged doors or walls. While many items may seem to be cosmetic the appraiser is observing the home for its overall condition and has to rate it. In the case of government loans, the appraiser has to test and observe additional items for compliance. It is a good idea to get these items taken care of prior to listing your home for sale or having the appraiser stop by.
Any recent sales and/or homes for sale in the neighborhood?
If you have a friend or relative in the real estate business they can help you with this. You may also check online sources to see some transactions occurring around you. Are there any “open houses” you can check out? When the appraiser is working on providing an opinion of value the best indicator is what other Buyers are paying for similar homes. This approach is called the Sales Comparison Approach and in most cases is going to be the most relied upon and utilized approach. But all in all if you know of several sales in your area you can get a rough idea.
How does my home compare?
Ultimately the appraiser is going to try and determine how does your home compare in size, features, and/or condition to home sales around you? This will more or less be how the appraisal is developed. While all homes are not exactly alike having different finishes, sizes, floorplans, and features, differing lots (situated on busy road or sites with a view) all these factors are taken into account. The appraiser will determine what these differences bring in terms of value based on other sales, conversations with local agents, and sometimes depreciated costs.
The whole process is not rocket science by any means but much more than taking a bunch of sales and dividing by square footage to derive a dollar per square foot. The more complex the assignment the more investigating and data collection is required. With real estate being one of the largest investments in your portfolio it pays to hire a professional appraiser.
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