The appraiser will look for water in the basement, plumbing problems, roof leaks, and any stains on the ceilings, floors, or walls.
New flooring can add a ton of perceived value, encourage higher offers, and even make a home sell faster, but it may not add dollars to your appraisal. Buyers may like the updated flooring and offer more as a result, but don't expect a higher appraised value.
The short answer is “no, a messy home should not affect the outcome of an appraisal.” However, it's good to be aware that there are circumstances in which the state of your home can negatively affect its value.
When evaluating renovations, appraisers rely on the "Principle of Substitution," which essentially says that buyers would pay no more for a special feature in a home than the cost of renovating a similar property.
Give your home a deep clean
By the time the home appraisal comes around you're probably sick of keeping your home so spotless, but do a deep clean this one last time and it should pay off. A home will appear to have more worth when it's clean, so get your scrub brush out and get down to business.
Do Appraisers Look in Closets? The short answer is yes, they will look in your closet… but only to determine the total living area. So while a clean, organized closet is a sign of respect for the appraiser (and a lot more pleasant to look at), a messy closet won't negatively affect home value.
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.
It would be better to invest in a good finishing to the floors, before evaluating your residence. Unfinished projects: If you have started renovation work in the last few years and then left it uncompleted, it can severely affect the appraisal of your house.
The Importance of Good Gutters
Gutters work by moving water away from your home and its foundation, as well as properly guiding water off of your roof during rainfall. A home appraiser will examine the gutters when estimating the value of the home and include their condition in the home value.
The primary factors in a home appraisal are the current market trends relating to the location and type of house, the recent sales figures from comparable homes in the area — and, of course, the condition of the home. Appraisers will look for factors in several areas to assess the condition.
Appraisers take pictures of the various rooms in a house as a way to describe the property being appraised. Pictures can give the readers of the appraisal report, such as loan underwriters, a better understanding of what the various rooms in the house look like including their condition.
In high-traffic areas it can show wear and tear, and laminate can't be sanded or refinished for an updated appearance. Because of its lower price point, laminate also won't do much for your home's resale value.
They will look at the doors, windows, ceilings, walls, and any leaking faucets or visible electrical issues.
When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.
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.
The appraiser considers a new floor, a renovated bathroom or kitchen, new appliances, or an HVAC system – all of these to determine overall value. Buyers and lenders love newer appliances and quality renovations because they contribute to the property's lasting value.
How often do home appraisals come in low? Low home appraisals do not occur often. According to Fannie Mae, appraisals come in low less than 8 percent of the time, and many of these low appraisals are renegotiated higher after an appeal, Graham says.
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.
One of the big things that can have a negative affect is the age and condition of the home's systems (HVAC, plumbing) and appliances. If the local market is declining, that'll also hurt your home's appraised value.
Therefore, the appraiser will most likely know the selling price of a home but this is not always the case. There are times that we have appraised properties for private sales where both the buyer and seller have declined to provide this information.
Zillow claims that most Zestimates are within 10% of the selling price of the home. However, a Zillow estimate is only as accurate as the data backing it up. So, larger metro areas and cities will have more accurate Zestimates.
A full appraisal will require a home visit. When it comes to a refinance appraisal, you have the option to attend the appraisal if you want. The appraiser will conduct a thorough inspection of the home's exterior and interior to judge the condition of the property and make note of its size and features.