Appraisal - Get The Most Value - It's Easy
If you are selling your home you should get an appraisal before you decide on the selling price. A real estate agent's market analysis will get you close to the right selling price, but a $3,000 to $5,000 variance is a lot of money. An upfront appraisal will protect your equity and be well worth the cost.
Understanding what is involved in appraising a your home can greatly help in maximizing the appraised value. The steps below are in the sequence normally followed by an appraiser:
1. An appraiser will research the home as to size, bedrooms, baths, year built, lot size and square footage.
2. Gather data of recent sales in the neighborhood. The appraiser needs to locate at least 3 similar-sized homes that have sold in the neighborhood with in the last six months. The homes also need to be within one mile of the subject property. These homes are called the "Comparable Properties" or "Comps" for short.
3. The field inspection consists of two parts: a complete inspection of the subject property, and the exterior inspection of the comparable properties.
During the property inspection he will be taking photos of the street scene, front of the home and rear of the home. The appraiser will make an interior inspection, noting any items that would detract from or add to the value of your home.
The inspection of the comparable properties is oviously limited to an exterior inspection. For features that cannot be seen from the street, the appraiser uses reports from Multiple Listing Services (MLS), county public records, and appraisal files to help determine the condition and value compared to the subject property.
4. When the field inspection has been completed the appraiser must determine which comparable homes most resemble the subject. Then he/she makes adjustments in value for any differences. The appraiser must go through a reconciliation process with the comparable properties to determine a final estimated value of the subject property. This method is called the "Direct Sales Comparison Approach to Value", and it accounts for nearly all of the considerations in determining value of a single-family property.
Please remember the appraiser will be taking pictures of the street and the front and back of the home. The street scene projects some kind of idea as to the neighborhood in which the home is located. The photo of the front of the home gives the lender an idea of its condition and its curb appeal. Lastly, the photo of the back of the home and part of the rear yard is another indicator to the lender of the home's care and maintenance.
Over 90% of the time what you see in the condition of a home exterior will be repeated almost exactly inside the home. So one of the most important things you can do to improve the value or perceived value is to enhance the curb appeal of your home, and don't forget to clean up the back yard.
The appraiser will call in advance for an appointment to inspect your home. That is the time to supply any information about the home size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, pool, enclosed patio, etc. The more known about the property prior to inspection the better the appraiser can focus on researching the most similar comparable homes. Doing your homework will increase your chances of having a good appraisal.
While your home is being inspected don't follow the appraiser from room to room causing distraction. Instead, allow the inspection to go smoothly. In case the appraiser has any questions, be close by to answer them. The time to mention the things you think are important is either before or just after the inspection.
The best thing you can do to increase the perceived value of your home is to get it ready before the appraisal. Clean it, put fresh paint where needed, and clear the clutter inside and out. You should also make any minor repairs needed and be sure to manicure the front and back yards!
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
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Understanding home loan guidelines is the key to getting a great home loan. That is why Connie Sanders built FHA Guidelines. This site and home loanunderwriters.com will teach the consumer everything they need to fully understand their options and how to qualify. Check It Out..
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by: ConnieSanders
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