One of the most important things about getting prepared to sell your home is having it appraised. The appraisal needs to come in at a good price so that the buyer can get his loan prepared.
The appraiser may assure you that nothing has to be done to the house before they come to view it and that they are used to seeing dirt and mess. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Obviously the appraiser is going to view the house the same way a prospective buyer would. If you have allowed yourself to get comfortable in your home now is a good time for that spring clean you’ve been holding back on. Fix up the garden and get the carpets cleaned, try and move your storage and clutter to a place that is not going to be visible to any appraiser or guest in your home. The Residential Appraisal Report clearly asks about the age of the home and the “effective” age which as a home seller you want to keep as low as possible.
The Appraisal Report also asks about the condition of materials, such as walls, doors, ceilings, floors and finishes. It becomes second nature for the appraiser to pick up on these elements.
The Appraisal Report also mentions the condition of kitchen amenities such as the freezer, oven, stove, etc. Keeping these appliances sanitary and dirt free is a plus. Furniture and recreational facilities such as, swimming pools, patios, fireplaces, sheds etc. should all be taken into consideration whilst cleaning and sorting. It’s also a very good idea to clean out the drains and gutters if you haven’t done so for a while as you want your house to look like it can handle the rain.
In the “comments and concerns” part of the appraisals report they usually comment on how well the property in question is maintained and whether there are any physical, functional or external inadequacies. It also notes if there are any features which can increase the marketing of the property, such as heating/air conditioning, furnishings, high ceilings and so on.