When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may think an appraisal is something you want to avoid. After all, who wants their home value to be reduced? However, that’s not the whole story. An appraisal will help you get a higher selling price for your home. That’s because an expert opinion of your home’s value will help potential buyers and real estate agents see its true worth. You won’t have to settle for less than what it could be worth. To get the most from your home store appraisal, there are a few things that might hurt it and what you can do about them if you plan on selling shortly.
Lack of Maintenance
A buyer’s home inspection can uncover hidden problems in your home that you might not even be aware of. That’s why a home inspection is standard when you sell your house as a way to protect both you and the buyer. It can be surprising to see what a trained eye can spot in your house. For example, a home inspector might spot a tiny crack in the foundation or a slow leak in the roof that you weren’t even aware of.
If a problem is small, it’s most likely not going to affect the home’s value. A home inspection will also help the appraiser better understand how houses of the same model and age in the area are holding their value. If your house doesn’t meet the same standards, it may hurt the appraisal. For example, if your home has a cracked foundation and you don’t plan to fix it before selling, the appraiser might reduce your home’s value by several thousand dollars.
Outdated Rooms and Finishes
The condition of your house’s interior and exterior will have a direct impact on your home appraisal. What the appraiser sees is what they’ll put down in the report. If they notice outdated rooms and finishes, they may decide to reduce the value of your home to reflect this.
For example, if you’ve been putting off repainting a room in your home, the appraiser might decide to reduce the value of your home. This is especially true if the rest of your house is in great condition or has been recently updated. If your kitchen is full of outdated finishes or dated appliances, the appraiser might reduce the value of your home to reflect this.
Unapproved Modifications
If you’ve made unapproved modifications to your home, the appraiser could reduce the value of your home to reflect this. Modifications may be unapproved if they don’t meet local building codes or are visibly out of place on your home’s exterior. For example, if you’ve added a deck to your home, but it isn’t up to code, the appraiser might reduce the value of your home to reflect this fact. This is especially true if the rest of your house maintains local building codes.
Overgrown Landscaping
If an appraiser notices your landscaping is overgrown and hasn’t been trimmed or maintained, they may reduce the value of your home to reflect this. This is especially true if the rest of your house’s landscaping is well-maintained. If you notice your landscaping is overgrown, take a few moments to trim it back to a manageable level before you schedule your home appraisal.
This will help the appraiser better understand how you care for your home and will give them a better idea of how other houses in your neighbourhood are cared for. Overgrown landscaping can be a sign that you don’t pay close attention to your home’s upkeep which could hurt the appraisal.
Excessive Dust and Dirt
A messy home can reduce the value of a home appraisal. This is especially true if the rest of your home is clean and well-maintained. If the appraiser notices excessive dust and dirt in certain rooms or throughout your home, they may decide to reduce the value of your home to reflect this.
If your home is cleaner than it was when you bought it and it hasn’t been messy from construction, it’s possible that the appraiser might not notice the dust and dirt. If this is the case, you can be a little sloppier than normal before your appraisal. If you’re planning on getting your home ready to sell soon, it’s a good idea to be a little more thorough than you usually are.
Conclusion
A home appraisal is important when you’re selling your house. It’s designed to show what your home is worth. An appraisal should not be something to dread. Instead, it should be seen as a tool to help you get the best price possible when you sell your home. If you’re getting ready to sell your home, make sure to keep these five things in mind. This will help you have a smoother process and get a better price for your home. A home appraisal isn’t something to dread.
