Some useful hints to speed your appraisal along from APPRAISALS ONLY

By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.
A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).To help the appraisal go as smoothly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, ready for the appraiser:

  • Any information on the purchase of the property for the last three years.

  • Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.

  • A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.

  • Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.

  • A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

  • Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and your well.

  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

  • Locate copies of the current listing agreement, broker’s data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.

  • Information on “Homeowners Associations” or condominium covenants and fees.

  • A list of “suggested” improvements when the property is being appraised “as complete”.

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany them along on the entire site inspection, but can be helpful be available to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.
Here are some other helpful suggestions:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very thorough in their inspections. You should make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

  • Housekeeping: Appraisers see many of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they’re human beings too! A good impression can translate into a higher home value.

  • Maintenance: We often recommend fixing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: having a banister on all stairways, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each receptacle works, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.