Appraisers will also look closely and itemize all appliances and fixtures installed in the home, including the dishwasher, refrigerator, washer/dryer, oven, and others. The appraiser will also be very interested in any improvements you made to your home, as well as the quality of those improvements.
An appraisal does not take into consideration things like new landscaping or appliances, as these items are not considered stable value-generating features. For a mortgage, the entire transaction rests on the value of the property.
Kitchens with modern, attractive appliances and quality floors and counters will increase a home's appraised value, according to Bankrate. Defective appliances, broken cupboards and a lack of counter space will lower the value, so replacing or fixing them can also lead to a better appraisal.
If the home appraisal is for a mortgage finance transaction (refi) that is not a sale then built-in appliances only must be operated. In most cases, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and stoves are not built-in appliances. The most common built-in appliances are dishwashers, microwaves, and disposals.
An appraiser can certainly appraise a house with no appliances. It would be part of their scope of work to determine the value or no value of the missing appliances. Houses must have a heat source according to most lenders.
Appraisers will also look closely and itemize all appliances and fixtures installed in the home, including the dishwasher, refrigerator, washer/dryer, oven, and others. The appraiser will also be very interested in any improvements you made to your home, as well as the quality of those improvements.
Appraisers flush toilets, turn on all faucets and ensure that both hot and cold water are working.
Do Appraisers Look in Cabinets? In most homes, the appraiser will have no reason to look in the cabinets because they do not need to open them to measure living space. However, if there are obvious signs of disrepair, broken hinges, infestation, etc., they might look in cabinets.
The appraiser will look for water in the basement, plumbing problems, roof leaks, and any stains on the ceilings, floors, or walls. If there is minor water damage in your home, you may be able to take care of the problem on your own to keep your buyer from walking away from the deal.
Appraisers don't inspect furnaces or installed air-conditioning units but do check to make sure the appliances exist and currently work.
While it may be unlikely that one or two new appliances alone can increase the overall value of your home, upgrading key rooms—particularly the kitchen—can net you an excellent return on investment when you're selling.
Just keep your communication to the appraiser about the facts of the home and neighborhood, how you priced the house, and any other relevant information you think the appraiser should know. And remember, don't discuss value. Don't pressure the appraiser to 'hit the value' and you'll be fine.
Appraisals can come in low for a variety of reasons. Many factors are at play including market conditions, the appraiser doing the work, the subject property being appraised and the comps. Sometimes the appraisal is not even low; misplaced expectations were merely set too high.
Things like windows and doors, flooring, walls, plumbing, electrical, kitchen, and bathroom are essential parts of a home. The appraiser must know about all of these and be able to tell good from bad, and you can rest assured that he or she will look closely at yours.
Appraisers look at the size, shape and topography of the lot, including easements and encroachments. The appraiser will also note amenities such as street utilities and vehicular access. Part of the evaluation process includes an opinion of whether the home's characteristics are compatible with the market.
Unless the amount of clutter begins to affect the structural condition of a home, it will not affect an appraisal. The cleanliness of a home also has no impact on the value. It is not uncommon for an appraiser to walk into a cluttered, messy home.
Appraisers who perform FHA appraisals are required to perform at a minimum a head and shoulders inspection of both the attic and crawlspace. To prove this was done the appraisal must contain pictures of the attic and crawlspace.
Interior — The layout of the home, total square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, appliances, and the materials and condition of all interior surfaces will be evaluated. Any non-functional appliances, lighting, electrical outlets or plumbing fixtures detract from the appraisal value.
The appraiser inspects the state of the foundation and roof, drains, windows, screens, decks, patios and balconies. They also look for infestations and dampness. Beyond the property structure, the appraiser will take stock of the parking situation and lot size.
When determining this market value, an appraiser will study your home's interior and exterior. This includes touring all the rooms of your home, including your bedrooms.
Lastly, some appraisers may treat smoke detectors in bedrooms as a health and safety issue and simply require them in bedrooms and elsewhere regardless of what local code says. For reference, FHA will require them only so far as they are required by code.
Things that can hurt a home appraisal
A cluttered yard, bad paint job, overgrown grass and an overall neglected aesthetic may hurt your home appraisal. Broken appliances and outdated systems. By systems we mean plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical systems.
Low home appraisals are not a common occurrence, but they do happen on occasion. According to Fannie Mae, appraisals come in below contract only about 8% of the time.