When the time comes to have your home appraised, it can be difficult to know what to expect and what the appraiser will notice. Often, we become so sentimentally attached to our houses that it’s challenging to view them from a neutral perspective. As a business that offers estate appraisal in Maryland, we often get questions from potential customers about how they can increase their home’s value before the appraiser visits.
Obviously, there’s no magic trick you can use to quickly and cheaply transform your house into something better. But there are a few little things you can do to present your home in its best light and help it reach its full potential. Here are a few ways to modestly increase the value of your real estate appraisal in Maryland.
- Make it spotless: Obviously, your home doesn’t really become more valuable when you clean it. But having a clutter-free, freshly cleaned and well-organized home will allow the appraiser to notice all the special details and quality craftsmanship inside your home. Don’t give your appraiser a reason to skip over anything in your home by making sure every room is neat and clean.
- Focus on first impressions: Most homeowners know that real estate sales are influenced heavily by “curb appeal,” or how a home is seen from the outside. But not everyone keeps in mind that appraisers look at first impressions as well. Of course, a beautiful facade won’t erase the fact that your bathrooms are outdated or you have water damage issues, but an appraiser will keep in mind that curb appeal means a lot to many buyers when assessing the value of your home.
- Go neutral: Many homeowners love all the special touches that make their houses uniquely theirs. Appraisers, however, are more interested in how appealing your house will be to a stranger who might have completely different tastes than you. If you don’t mind putting in a little time and effort, have your home painted in neutral colors before getting it appraised.
- Invest wisely: Typically, investing a small amount for one or two upgrades can pay off kindly in your real estate appraisal. But when you’re on a fixed budget, it can be difficult to know which upgrade will give you the most bang for your buck. Structural improvements like fixing plumbing issues, sealing windows and tightening doorknobs should be at the top of your priority list. If those issues are all taken care of and you still have money to spend, consider updating your old vinyl floors or installing granite kitchen countertops.
- Provide information: It’s part of your appraiser’s job to collect information about your home that could affect its value. To help your appraiser and make sure they know all the positive facts about your home, it’s a nice touch to give them a folder with all the essential information about and documents pertaining to your house. Obviously, your appraiser isn’t going to give you a higher value just because you’re nice to them, but giving them the right information can’t hurt.
Call Jane Campbell-Chambliss & Associates, LLC today to learn more about preparing for real estate appraisal.