If you are having a home appraised because you want to buy it, a high appraisal is good because the home is probably in good shape. If it appraises badly it might be bought for less money, but it also probably means it needs repairs.
If you are trying to sell your home it will have to be appraised. The thing to do is make sure your home is in as good repair as possible beforehand. Some things affect appraisals more than others. Decorating issues, like the need for painting inside or out, can make your home look less appealing, but since new home owners will often repaint to their own preferences anyway, painting issues will probably not affect your homes value very much.
One major thing that can affect your appraisal is water damage. Any where there is evidence of water damage in or outside your home needs to be addressed before the appraisal. A small leak from a water pipe that has not been fixed can make an appraiser look closer for signs of wood, sheetrock, and mold damage. He might find something you have not.
Rust stains in tubs or sinks and under faucets can be evidence of leaking or faulty faucets. Some of these faucet leaks could be coming from pipes behind the walls. This could be a concern for water and mold damage that can not be seen.
Loose tiles or raised spots on a wood floor can also be signs or current or past water damage. This can cause concerns about mold and other wood damage underneath the hardwood or tile that can not be seen also. All things such as this should be fixed.
The attic is another place that is usually inspected by an appraiser. He will be looking for signs of water damage in the beams and insulation. If he finds any, it could mean your roof has defects and this can really affect the appraisal.
The easiest way to make sure you do not miss repairing anything that an appraiser might find later, is to use a check list for anywhere in your house that water goes in or out. All pipes, appliances, roofing, sewer lines, spigots, and sprinklers. Any thing you can think of that can cause water problems should be checked and repaired.
If you are getting a living space inspected because you are interested in buying it, a high appraisal is good because the living space is probably in great shape. If it appraises for less than it should, it might be purchased for less money, but it probably also means it needs work done.
If you are going to try and sell your house, every potential buyer will want to have it examined. The most important thing to do is make sure your home is in the best state it can be before the appraiser comes. A number of things can change inspections more than others.
Cosmetic issues like the need for painting can make your home look less appealing, but many new home owners will occasionally repaint to their own design anyway. A bad paint job may not change your residences value very much.
One very big problem that could alter your appraisal is water problems. Whenever there are visible water problems inside or outside a home, it has to be addressed before the examination. A tiny leak from a water pipe that is not taken care of might cause an inspector to examine closer for proof of sheet rock, mold, or wood damage.
He could locate problems you have not. Faulty faucets need to be fixed too. Cracked tiles around a tub or shower could indicate that water has penetrated into places behind the wall. This could cause concern about water or mold damage that has not been brought to light.
Soft spots, raised spots, or loose tiles on a floor might also be evidence of present or past water problems. This should also cause concerns to an examiner about water damage below the floor covering that might not have been disclosed. It could indicate harmed wood or mold too. Any areas that have damages like these need to be remedied before an appraisal too.
The basement and attic are two other areas that may have water issues and appraisers will examine these areas closely. When a basement is wet or has water in it, it is not a good idea to finish it out until the problem is solved and it is a perfect space for mold to take up residence.
An attic that has water problems is normally due to a faulty roof or gutter system. This can be very expensive also. The easiest way to make the most out of your appraisal, is to do as many small fixes yourself to save money because if you have attic or roof damage, these issues could need to be repaired before you can sell your house.
Both Jim Corkern & Dror Klar are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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