Checklist to Prepare for Home Appraisal

Mow the Lawn – Mow the lawn 2-3 days before the appraisal.

Clean the Property – Do a thorough sweep of the property to collect any debris, trim out dead branches from plants, and make sure everything looks fresh.

Plant Flowers – Flowers are easy and add tons of personality to your home. Plant a few flowers in the beds near the front entry or use planted containers.

Consider Touch-Ups – A home’s front door can make a big first impression so retouch paint or go with a new pop of color on the front door for personality. Consider touch-ups like cleaning windows, siding, and painting where needed.

Touch up interior paint – Most homes only need paint touch-ups to take out scuffs or rub marks. If necessary, paint the entire room.

Declutter – A messy home really shouldn’t matter for an appraisal, but it does. Thoroughly de-clutter the home as if the property is being always staged. You want clean countertops, “unbusy” furniture, and tidy rooms.

Get Things Clean – You don’t have to do a deep clean before the appraisal, but you should do a basic clean including sweeping and mopping, vacuuming, and polishing. A couple of hours of elbow grease could net you a couple more thousand on your appraisal.

Check Appliances – Check your home’s major appliances to be sure they’re all working properly. This includes heating and cooling, dishwasher, other heating elements (in-floor), and your home’s security system. Major appliances are a major area of focus for appraisals.

Check Other Components – Check other home components like windows, floors, cabinetry, and other items for damage or defects.

Make the Repairs – After you’ve made notes of all issues it’s time to get them fixed. Many homeowners can handle small issues like paint retouching but leave larger items to the professionals.

Check Out Comps – Comparables (comps) are the prices of similar homes for sale in your area. You can use comps to get a general idea of what your home is worth.

Binder of Improvements – Keep an organized list of everything you do for the home. Include appliance upgrades, touch-up work, small upgrades, and anything else you did to make the home better. This will help the home appraiser note areas of change.

Talk with Your Realtor – Keep a clear line of communication with your realtor during the appraisal process. Your realtor can help show you comps, get an estimate on what you should expect from the appraiser, and in some cases can help you schedule repairs.

Change the Sink – Replace your cramped sink from the 80s with a farmhouse sink.

Kitchen Backsplash – You can find handy kits and tutorials making a kitchen backsplash an affordable, quick, and easy way to add value to your home.

Cabinet Hardware – You’d be amazed how much new cabinet hardware can spruce up your kitchen. Trade in the stock or outdated hardware for something more suitable.

Repaint – If the home’s paint is too unique or dated, consider repainting the interior (and exterior.)