When you’re about to go through a home appraisal, you may get stressed out by the same kind of perfectionism everyone goes through during this phase. Luckily, learning the steps you need to take on how to prepare for a home appraisal aren’t that complicated. Once you know what to do, that stress will fade. Here are the absolute best tips you can start on today to prepare for an upcoming home appraisal in West Virginia.
Start Cleaning Up
This first tip is an obvious one, but it is important. Your house needs to be in good order when the home appraiser arrives. A clean house gives off the first impression that you’ve been taking care of your home, but it also makes it easier for the home appraiser to judge your home fairly.
This includes cleaning up the inside and the outside. If your kitchen and bathrooms have some sticky spots, it’s best to get rid of them. If your backyard needs a lawn mowing then you ought to do that as well to prepare for a home appraisal in Maryland.
Make Sure all Systems are Working
It’s very important for the home appraisal process that your house’s systems are all functioning as intended. This includes the electricity, the air conditioning, the gas and any security systems you might have. No one wants to buy house that has a faulty oven or a dysfunctional locking mechanism on one of the doors for example, so make sure all of these things are working as intended before the home appraisal.
This also includes more basic tools and appliances like your windows, doors, fridges and toilets. If you have any plumbing issues, contact a plumber before the home appraisal. If any windows have cracks or closing issues then try to get those issues fixed in time.
How To Prepare For a Home Appraisal: Curb Appeal
Proper curb appeal can sometimes be the factor that makes or breaks a home appraisal. While the interior of your home should usually be your priority, there’s nothing wrong with adding a few decorations to your porch or front lawn to help make a good first impression with your home appraiser.
Curb appeal can also include a well-groomed lawn as well, so make sure your grass is cut short. You can also feel free to include any flowers or anything else that will make your landscaping look more luxurious.
Consider Remodeling Investments
While this is the most severe of our recommendations, there is no denying that a home appraisal is always benefited by a home that underwent some recent remodeling. These improvements can truly increase the value of a home and can pay you back more than you might expect.
This is fortunately an area where you have a lot of options and control. You can replace any tools or appliances with upgraded versions, or you can go down a more serious route and renovate entire areas like your bathroom sink, living room ceiling or kitchen counter top. Something to keep in mind is although this can help you prepare for a home appraisal – be cautious of the renovations you spend money on. Too extreme could off put potential buyers. Be sure to consult with professionals before spending too much money.
Contact Us at Appalachian Appraisal Services for Any More Tips
Appalachian Appraisal Services will gladly help you with any home appraisal needs you may still have. Contact us at any time and we’ll help you figure out the best way for you to ace your upcoming home appraisal. Whether you need to figure out what needs to be tidied up or what could use a new renovation, we’ll walk you through it each step of the way. Be sure to check our Maryland and West Virginia home appraisal service areas as well.
