The current housing market has many people considering buying or selling a home right now. Maybe you’ve checked to see how much house you can afford, and you believe now might be a good time to list your house and upsize to a new one. Or maybe like so many others, your home is already under contract, and it’s time for an appraisal. Whichever the case, being aware of what hurts a home appraisal and how to increase the value of your home is always a great idea.
There are many things you can do to ensure your home is worth top dollar. When you’re deciding which improvements to implement, remember some improvements cost more money than others, and all should be weighed against the amount of value you’ll receive in return.
How the appraisal process works
Usually, the individuals seeking to buy or refinance a home pays the home appraisal fee. Home appraisal costs vary by the type of appraisal, the location of the home, and the type of property that is being inspected. To get started, look for any areas of your home that could be improved.
A certified residential appraiser will be at your home for about 30 to 60 minutes conducting a home inspection, so your goal is to make their job easy by shining the brightest light possible on your home’s finest features. The home appraiser will be taking pictures of all the rooms in your house to provide visuals to lenders and buyers. This is an important factor in the appraisal report and it helps lenders and buyers understand each room’s condition and features. You’ll especially want to focus on areas that can hurt your home appraisal, which we have listed 7 of the most common ones below and how to fix them.
1) Poor curb appeal
How to Fix It: Trim up bushes and trees so they are tidy and neat. Add annuals or perennials for a pop of color and interest in what can otherwise be a sea of green grass.
Having a fresh coat of paint applied to the exterior of your home, your front door and shutters painted in a…