Preparing for Your Home Appraisal

Whether you are buying, selling or refinancing, a few simple steps can help your appraisal go smoothly.

Provide access. Unlock gates, clear the path to the attic, garage and utility areas, and make sure all rooms can be reached.

Tidy and repair small items. Replace burnt-out bulbs, fix leaky faucets and clear clutter. Appraisers value condition, so visible maintenance matters.

List your improvements. New roof, HVAC, flooring or kitchen updates? Provide a short list with approximate dates and costs.

Share useful documents. A survey, recent comparable sales you know of, and details on lot or square footage can help.

The appraiser remains independent, but good information helps ensure nothing is overlooked.