Be Prepared for your appraisal

Your appraiser provides a professional service that requires concentration and attention to detail.  While the appraiser observes your home, they will be mapping out the layout, taking photos for documentation of quality and condition and noting the type and condition of appliances, flooring, mechanical features, amenities and special features.  For the appraiser to collect all relevant data correctly, it is important to allow them to stay focused on the task at hand.  Please save comments and questions for the appropriate time when the appraiser can focus on your contribution.

​Interior
The appraiser will need access to all rooms. Pick up any clutter and make sure that they can access the garage, attics, basements and mechanical features like furnaces and water heaters.  All photos should be free of people; alert the appraiser if any additional individuals are home during the appraisal inspection or if there are pets on the property. 
Exterior
The appraiser will measure the exterior of your home therefor it is important to have unimpeded access. 
To allow for easy access around the exterior of your home; trim any bushes and move any obstacles that would make it difficult to measure.

You can make things go faster and improve the accuracy of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:

• Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor or private road maintenance agreements.
• A list of any improvements or updates that you have made to the property, including year completed (examples: new roof 2015, new appliances 2016, etc.)
• Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements  and fees or, if applicable, condo covenants and fees .
• A list of "intended" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete" for an update or remodel.