Some helpful tips to expedite your appraisal from Bernabe & Barnett

To appraise a property, an appraiser is legally required to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Just give us a call at 3367226533 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To facilitate the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if readily available).

  • Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.

  • Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.

  • A list of any personal property that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.

  • Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.

  • Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property.

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

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

  • A copy of the current listing agreement with broker's data sheet and purchase agreement if a sale is "pending".

  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

  • A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

When the appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort them along on the entire site inspection, but generally you'll want to be available to answer inquiries about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other helpful recommendations:

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

  • Housekeeping: Appraisers see a lot of homes a year and are no strangers to clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a higher value for your home.

  • Maintenance: We generally recommend repairing small things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying 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, where paint is peeling it should be scraped and repainted, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, replacing broken glass.