What Do Home Appraisers Look For When Determining The Value Of A Home?

WHAT IS A HOME APPRAISAL?

An appraisal is a professional’s impartial evaluation of a home’s value. Appraisals are usually always included in purchase-and-sale transactions, and they’re also used frequently in refinance transactions. 

An appraisal is used in a purchase-and-sale transaction to evaluate whether the contract price is reasonable given the home’s condition, location, and amenities. An appraisal ensures that the lender isn’t giving the borrower more money than the home is worth in a refinancing deal.

The home acts as collateral for the mortgage, lenders want to be certain that homeowners are not overborrowing. The lender will sell the house to collect the money it loaned if the borrower fails to pay the mortgage and goes into foreclosure. 

In situations like this, the assessment helps the bank prevent itself from giving too much to  more than it can recover.

WHAT DO HOME APPRAISERS LOOK FOR INSIDE THE HOUSE?

Home appraisers do a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the property they are appraising. While the home assessment process has many components, the outside of the property and what appraisers look for in the interior are two of the most important.

When inspecting the interior of your potential house, the appraiser will look at the general design and condition of the property. They will check for any health or safety code violations as well as indications of pests including termites or rats. 

They’ll also keep track of any neglected maintenance or water damage. Depending on what they discover, appraisers may include repair needs in the evaluation. If there are any appraisal criteria, these must be met before closing on the house.

The appraiser will also inspect the inside of the house to determine whether it has a dated design, as this will affect the home’s value. Outdated light fixtures, faucets, and kitchen appliances may all contribute to a dated appearance.

They’ll check to see whether the house has fireplaces and if any renovations or upgrades have been done to the residence’s general condition. Insulated windows, central air conditioning, and a security system will also be checked.

WHAT HOME APPRAISERS LOOK FOR OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

Let us now go to the outside of the house. The roof and foundation will be given particular attention on the house’s exterior. The appraiser will check for any missing shingles or other apparent problems when appraising the roof. Water damage to the roof can allow water to flow into the inside, causing problems like pest infestations and small animal infestations.

An appraiser will check for vertical or horizontal cracks, crumbling of the foundation, or any evidence of water leaking when appraising the foundation. The appraiser will inspect the chimney from the exterior to check whether it is broken or has moved from its original position.

The porch, deck, siding, garage, as well as the size of the lot and location of your home will all be examined by the appraiser when evaluating property worth.

THE APPRAISAL PROCESS AND HOW VALUES ARE DETERMINED

The lender will typically request the assessment since it primarily protects the lender’s interests. An appraisal costs several hundred dollars, and the borrower is usually responsible for paying it.

Recent sales of similar properties and current market trends impact a property’s assessment value. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the functionality of the floor plan, and the square footage are all important key factors in determining the home’s worth.

The appraiser must do a thorough visual assessment of the property’s interior and exterior, noting any problems that may affect its value, as well as needed repairs.

When evaluating the worth of a property, appraisers examine a number of factors, and knowing the home appraisal process is necessary for a successful home sale. Whether you’re buying or selling, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for the appraisal and make the process go as smoothly as possible.

If you run into any problems along the road, your real estate agent will be able to answer any concerns you have and assist you in effectively completing the home buying or selling process. Just message me, and I’ll make sure that your home will get the highest possible price.