How to Prepare for a Residential Appraisal

Simple Steps to Help Your Appraisal Go Smoothly

Preparing for a residential appraisal does not mean you need to make your home look like a model home. The most important things you can do are provide safe and complete access to the property, make all areas accessible, and provide relevant documentation about the home and any significant improvements.

At DiCicco & Associates, we understand that homes are lived in. Normal household clutter and everyday wear are not unusual. Our primary objective during the inspection is to accurately observe and document the property's characteristics, condition, quality, and overall utility.

The following checklist can help make the appraisal process more efficient.

Before the Appraisal Inspection

Provide Complete Access

Please make sure the appraiser can safely access all areas of the property, including:

• All bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and other interior rooms

• Garages and attached storage areas

• Attics and accessible attic areas

• Crawl spaces, where applicable

• Utility areas containing the HVAC system, water heater, and other major mechanical components

• Exterior areas of the property

• Detached garages, sheds, workshops, pool houses, cabanas, and other outbuildings

• Pools, patios, decks, docks, and other significant site improvements

If the property has a lockbox, gate, security system, or other access device, please confirm that the access information and keys are available before the inspection.

Secure or Remove Pets

For everyone's safety, please secure pets in a safe location or remove them from the property during the inspection. This is particularly important when the appraiser needs to access the entire interior and exterior of the property.

Clear Access to Important Areas

Avoid placing furniture, boxes, clothing, or other belongings in front of attic access points, crawl-space entrances, electrical panels, HVAC equipment, water heaters, or other areas the appraiser may need to observe.

There is no need to completely declutter your home. The goal is simply to ensure that the appraiser can safely access areas necessary to complete the inspection.

Make Necessary Repairs

You do not need to undertake major renovations simply because an appraisal has been scheduled. However, addressing obvious maintenance items before the inspection may help present the property accurately.

Examples may include:

• Leaking faucets or plumbing fixtures

• Missing door hardware

• Damaged or missing trim

• Exposed wiring or missing electrical covers

• Damaged flooring or other readily observable deficiencies

• Broken light fixtures or burned-out bulbs

• Obvious exterior maintenance issues

For FHA or VA-related assignments, additional property-condition and safety requirements may apply. The applicable lender, HUD, or VA requirements will depend on the specific assignment.

Check Major Systems and Utilities

If possible, ensure that normal utilities are operating and that the appraiser can safely observe the home's major mechanical systems, including heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical components.

If a system is not operational, inaccessible, or has recently been repaired or replaced, providing documentation can help the appraiser understand the circumstances.

Maintain the Exterior

Routine exterior maintenance can help ensure that the property and site can be fully observed. Consider mowing the lawn, trimming overgrown vegetation, and providing access to exterior improvements, particularly when landscaping or site features may affect the property's overall appeal or utility.

Information and Documents That May Be Helpful

If readily available, the following information can be useful during the appraisal process. You do not need to obtain every document on this list, and the appraiser will determine which information is relevant to the assignment.

Property Documents

• Recent survey or site plan

• Original building plans, if available

• Recent purchase contract or documentation relating to a recent purchase

• Legal description or recent property tax information

• Title information identifying known easements or encroachments

• Documentation regarding shared driveways or other private agreements affecting the property

• Condominium or homeowners association documents, when applicable

Improvements & Renovations

A list of significant improvements can be particularly helpful. Consider providing:

• Description of the improvement

• Approximate date completed

• Cost, if known

• Contractor information, if applicable

• Permit information, when applicable

• Documentation showing installation or completion

Examples of significant improvements may include:

• Roof replacement

• Kitchen or bathroom renovations

• HVAC replacement

• Additions

• Pool installation

• Impact windows and doors

• Major landscaping or hardscaping

• New flooring

• Other substantial improvements

Providing this information does not mean that the appraiser will automatically add the cost of an improvement to the property's value. The appraiser analyzes how the market recognizes the improvement and its contribution to overall market value.

Property & System Reports

If available, you may also provide recent reports or documentation concerning:

• Home inspections

• Termite inspections

• Septic systems

• Private wells

• Roofing

• Structural issues

• Synthetic stucco or EIFS

• Major repairs

• Other significant property conditions

Personal Property

If personal property is included in the sale or is otherwise relevant to the assignment, provide a list or explanation of the items involved. Examples may include appliances, such as a refrigerator, range, washer, or dryer.

The appraiser will consider whether items are considered part of the real property and whether they contribute to the property's real estate market value under the specific assignment.

Special Considerations for FHA & VA Appraisals

FHA and VA appraisal assignments can