When the time has come to sell your home, you want to make sure the value of your home is appraised accurately. After all, you have maintained it well and want to get top dollar for your property.
Appraisal affects pricing. Knowing what appraisers look for will help you understand the process; you can make sure all important areas of your home are as prepared as possible. Here is a brief overview:
Size of Property
As you would expect, lot size is taken into consideration when appraising a home. Typically, the larger the property, the greater the value. This gives potential homebuyers the opportunity to expand if they choose. The condition of the property affects the value, too, so it is wise to have it well-groomed when an appraiser arrives.
House Size and Footprint
As with the property, the size of the home is a critical factor. A larger home with a number of rooms will be of greater value, with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a key factor. Growing families want to know that their home will accommodate additional family members as well as weekend guests in the future.
Home Exterior
Here is where details come in. Outside the home, the appraiser will do a thorough inspection. The structure of your home and its foundation are checked for deterioration, cracks, settling, rotting, leaks and a number of other possible structural issues. The roof and any siding are inspected to see what materials they are made from and their condition.
Older homes, in particular, can be prone to deterioration in some of these areas. An experienced real estate professional can help you identify issues that may require attention outside and inside your home. You may want a home inspection of your own so you can have things repaired according to code before the appraiser is scheduled.
Interior Details
Like the exterior, the interior of your home will undergo the same scrutiny. The appraiser looks at the materials used in construction and their current condition. Defects in the doors, flooring, walls and windows factor into the appraisal.
Plumbing is checked carefully for leaks, drips, cracks, water pressure and how quickly hot water flows once the tap is activated. Lighting fixtures and kitchen appliances are also on the appraiser’s list.
Upgraded Amenities
What have you done over the years to improve the safety and comfort of your home? Those upgrades will have a positive impact on the appraiser’s valuation.
A swimming pool and garage ups the value, along with air conditioning, ceiling fans and fireplaces. Bathroom and kitchen improvements like skylights, designer tubs, upgraded cabinets or countertops and upscale kitchen appliances will have a positive impact on the overall evaluation.
Other Ideas to Boost an Appraisal
Take care of all minor repairs so everything in your home is shown in tip-top shape. Keep the exterior of the home manicured, with cleaned gutters and trimmed hedges. Touch up chipped paint, outside and inside.
A thorough cleaning inside the home will take care of dusty ceiling fans, grimy baseboards, spider webs, etc. If you have pets, make sure all stains and smells are eliminated.
Now that you know the key elements in home evaluation, you can prepare you home perfectly before the appraiser arrives. Contact Okotoks Real Estate for more information on selling a home for its maximum value.