A home appraisal is an unbiased opinion of your home’s market value. It gives potential buyers and lenders a clear picture of its worth, making it one of the most critical steps in the home-selling process.
Many people mistakenly think a house appraisal and an inspection are the same. However, major differences exist between the two, including when they’re performed. Inspections are performed after the buyer and seller agree to contract terms. An appraisal is done once a buyer’s satisfied with one or more inspection results. Your Napa Valley real estate agent can help you maximize your home’s value come appraisal time.
The Napa Valley real estate market is incredibly competitive. The appraisal process gives you a final chance to ensure your home’s value comes in as high as possible. These tips will help your property stand out from the rest of the homes for sale in Yountville!
Do a complete inspection of your home inside and out, and try to look at things through the eyes of a potential buyer. Many, if not most, houses have minor repairs that have been neglected or put off. Inspect the roof for leaks or missing tiles, check for damaged siding, and look for defects like broken floor files.
You can also use your walk-through to make a list of the upgrades and improvements you’ve already made, ensuring the appraiser doesn’t miss anything.
Leaky faucets, missing electrical cover plates, or cracked lighting fixtures should be repaired or replaced. While these seemingly minor defects might not translate into significant reductions in value, they can give the impression your home hasn’t been kept up.
First impressions do matter—and doubly so come appraisal time. Simple outdoor improvements like upgraded landscaping, lighting, and a freshly painted front door can make a huge impact.
You can make the appraiser’s job simpler and quicker if you have documents like the land survey and proof of your home’s last sales price ready for them to refer to during the appraisal.
Most appraisers overlook a “lived-in” environment, but decluttering makes their job easier by clearing the way for picture taking and measuring. A good deep-cleaning of your entire house before the appraisal lets the appraiser see your home in its best possible light.
Each of these tips for preparing for an appraisal is fairly simple, won’t cost you a ton of money, and doesn’t require a lot of time. Combined, they showcase your Napa Valley home and can potentially increase its value and the appraisal results.
Want to learn even more tips for preparing your Yountville home for an appraisal? Contact one of the real estate agents at St. Helena Real Estate today!
