Some home owners are beginning to see value in spick-and-span listings. But are appraisers on board? Having your house clean does make a difference, even though in theory it should not. Appraisers are people, and they are swayed by smells and how a house feels, even if they aren’t conscious of it.
As a real estate professional, I offer some of the following tips to prepare for an appraisal:
- Make a list of all the upgrades and features in the home to provide to the appraiser.
- Whether you hire cleaners or do-it-yourself, making sure to scrub walls clean and touch up paint will make the home sparkle.
- Print out a list of comparable homes in the neighborhood to provide to the appraiser. Sometimes when users search the MLS, not all comps appear, so this step can be helpful for appraisers.
- Refreshments can be a welcome courtesy. Appraisers aren’t actually swayed by extras, but see it as just a nice gesture.
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