If you are planning on selling your home, or even just trying to refinance your mortgage, you will need to get your property appraised. An appraisal is the primary factor in how much money you can sell your home for. There is a lot you can do to prepare and make sure you get a good appraisal. Here are some of the tops tips to maximize the appraisal received on your home.
Get it done early. You do not want to wait until last minute to get your home appraised. The information received plays a significant part of the selling process. If there are any problems, you want to know early so you can address it right away; you do not want hold-ups on the sale of your home.
Clean your home. No, a clean home will not prevent an appraiser from finding major issues with your home, but when your home is clean, it gives the impression that you take care of your property. The appraiser may be less prone to find fault and a little more inspired to see the best in your home.
Clean up your yard. The same idea as cleaning the home goes for the yard. Cut the yard, rake leaves, and tidy up to put your house in the best light. It may also give you an opportunity to see problems that can be fixed easily before the appraiser comes.
Make it easy on the appraiser. Most people respond to courtesy; get on their good side by cleaning up, removing clutter, ensuring all areas are accessible, and being on time.
Use the $500 rule. Appraisers tend to measure the value of a home in increments of $500. Things like broken doors, non-functional locks, leaky faucets, and other minor repairs can really add up. These things are cheap enough to repair and being proactive in fixing them will help you avoid lost value in the appraisal.
Make sure your real estate agent attends the appraisal. An excellent real estate agent does more than sell your house – they represent you at every phase of the transaction. Agents will bring comparable sales data to support the asking price and point out important things about the neighborhood, schools, and any recent improvements done if it will increase value.
Being unprepared for an appraisal could be a costly mistake. The appraiser is the person that will provide the lender with your home’s value. You want to like what they tell the bank about your home and definitely want it appraised at the agreed upon sales price.
Angela Barrett, "A Different Kind of Real Estate"
Angela Barrett is a local REALTOR® in Lexington, SC. Every day, she has the privilege of working with Buyers and Sellers around and on Lake Murray - Lexington, Gilbert, Chapin, and Irmo. It is her goal to help every buyer find the perfect home, and every seller sell at the best price possible. Exit Real Estate Consultants opened its doors in 2008 and has been the local expert since. Angela says, "she works with a wonderful group at EXIT and is proud to be a REALTOR® for a company that prides itself on being a "family helping families."
What makes Angela different from other Realtors is her desire to combine a love of real estate with the truth. She may not always tell you what you want to hear but will ALWAYS tell you what you need to hear. Before getting into the real estate industry, she owned her own court reporting business for 14 years. She decided to change careers because it was her desire to help others with their housing needs in a way that was honest and truthful, a way that put their needs ahead of the sale. Her business is built on Dedication, Communication, Determination & Trust while embodying the ability to cater and adapt to all of her client's Real Estate needs. She says the best part of her business is the people she meets and the ability to assist them throughout the process. Her goal is not only finding the hidden gem or selling at the right price but giving her clients peace of mind that they will work together through every detail.
Angela showcases her homes on her website and utilizes professional service providers to assist with her clients' buying and selling needs, including tips for staging and recommendations for painters, designers, handymen, and inspectors. She is communicative, thorough, and detail-oriented, and she'll be with you every step of the way!
Angela made Lexington home 28 years ago. She is knowledgeable about the area and feels blessed to call Lexington her home. Angela enjoys showing her clients around “Miss Murray”, the Jewel of South Carolina, and when she’s not helping someone with their real estate needs, she enjoys going to the gym, running, spending time on Lake Murray, and a little photography.
Looking to buy or sell a home in the Lake Murray area? Call Angela Barrett, who not only represents “A Different Kind of Real Estate" but also a different kind of REALTOR®.
View all posts by Angela Barrett, Realtor ExitREC
