The process of selling your home is A PROCESS! There’s loads of paperwork, along with multiple showings, visits, and inspections. One of these steps is the home appraisal, which is the last chance for the seller to take action to ensure that their home gets the highest valuation possible.
Why is this important?
It’s important because most offers you will receive will be contingent on the buyer acquiring financing from a mortgage lender. The higher your home appraisal is, the smoother the home selling transition will be.
This is not the time to make major structural changes or renovations. However, a few simple things homeowners can do to have the best chance of getting the highest possible valuation are well worth the time and effort.
- Laying new mulch
- Planting fresh flowers
- Mowing your lawn
- Raking the leaves
- Trimming overgrown bushes
- Clearing sidewalks and driveways
- Remove clutter from rooms
Have documents available
Make a list of everything you have done relatively recently to improve and upgrade your home. Things such as replacing your roof, upgrading appliances, renovating a kitchen or bathroom, finishing or waterproofing a basement, and any upgrade made to your HVAC system.
In addition to preparing this list, have copies of all receipts and other supporting documentation proving that you did make these improvements. This will help the appraiser see the extra value you have added to the home, and it just may help them justify their final appraised value of the property.
Remember, the higher the appraisal the more likely you will receive a higher price for your home.
