Have you found yourself a buyer? Congratulations! You have completed 70% of the journey. A big part of home selling is about fixing and marketing your house. You have to update your home and ensure that the right audience sees it.
At this stage, something important is missing. You still need to complete a few crucial steps, including getting a home appraisal. Banks have certain restrictions. Your buyer cannot get approved for a mortgage without first getting an appraisal. What is a home appraisal?
It’s an expert valuation of your property. It’s an expert opinion about your home’s value. A certified and licensed professional will appraise your property. Basically, an appraisal is all about evaluating your home (and it’s essential systems) to ensure that the house is sold at a fair price.
The bank will deny the mortgage if the appraisal is too low. And the buyer won’t be able to finance your property. You want to ensure that your home appraises for the highest price. That way, you can command a high price for your property in Lawton.
Here are some steps you can take to sell your house and get a high home appraisal.
1. Deep Clean and Make Quick Fixes
As with anything else, preparing for your Lawton home appraisal begins with taking care of the small, basic things. Your first steps, then, should be to deep clean and make quick fixes.
“By the time the home appraisal comes around, you’re probably sick of keeping your home so spotless, but do a deep clean this one last time, and it should pay off. A home will appear to have more worth when it’s clean, so get your scrub brush out and get down to business. Pay extra attention to areas that might not be on your regular cleaning rotation.”
But don’t stop there; you should make all the small, necessary fixes you’ve been putting off. “When an appraiser is evaluating your home, they’re bound to be influenced by any signs—big or small—that a property has not been well maintained. Simple fixes, such as repairing faulty cabinets, making paint touch-ups, and finally taking care of that perpetually running toilet, will show that you’ve put time and effort into your home’s condition. It’s worth spending a few hundred dollars upfront to take care of easily fixable problems. Failure to do so may result in losing much more than that amount on your appraisal.”
You probably did all that while you were preparing for home showings and the actual selling process. You just need to look around one last time and notice if anything needs more work. Think of it as a last good bye gesture, because if the appraisal goes well, you could be selling your house soon.
2. Make Sure Everything Is Working Properly
Your home has to be functional before it’s beautiful. Make sure everything is working properly before your home appraisal is scheduled. “A home inspector noting a broken fixture may result in a request from the buyer to fix it. A home appraiser noting a broken fixture may result in an under-appraised home.”
The appraiser will pay particular attention to the major home systems, so be sure to check all systems and mechanics out and make any repairs your investigation demands. You need to make sure all of the following are functioning properly:
- HVAC system
- Home security system
- Windows and doors
- Plumbing and fixtures
- Electrical system, appliances, and fixtures
And, then, if you detect any problems, make or schedule repairs well before the appraisal.
3. Work on Curb Appeal
Most of us think about essential systems when focusing on the home appraisal. You believe that the appraiser will look at electric wiring and the foundation. While this is true to some extent, the appraiser is also looking at the market value. They want to know how the market will respond to the price. In other words, they are trying to find the market value of the property.
Curb appeal improves your home’s value and let’s you attract more buyers. It adds to the dollar value of your property. Here are some steps you can take:
- Mow and edge
- Trim bushes, shrubs, and trees
- Pick up all the debris
- Lay down new mulch in beds
- Plant flowers
- Strategically place patio accents and potted plants
- Touch up paint
- Power wash siding, sidewalks, and driveways
- Clean out gutters and downspouts
- Paint the front door
You don’t have to go all out and spend a bunch of money on professional landscaping. Just doing these smaller, relatively inexpensive things can help improve the appraisal value. It just takes a critical eye and some elbow grease. You might have to spend a weekend on the curb appeal, but it will be worth the effort.
4. Document Your Home Improvements and Upgrades
We constantly add to our home as we live in it. It’s important to keep a mental note of all the improvements you make to the property. Did you improve the insulation? Invested in a central cooling system? Maybe you installed a new fire place? Every additional improvement counts and adds to your home’s value.
Make a document enlisting all the improvements you made to the house. While it’s not necessary, the extra effort leaves a good impression. Your appraiser cannot magically find the value of the house. The expert is relying on certain factors.
The appraiser will look at things, but you can make the job easier by presenting documented improvements. You might need to produce sales receipts, contractor invoices, and zoning permits.
Consult Your Lawton Agent before a Home Appraisal
Consult a real estate expert in Lawton. Ask how you can improve the appraised value of your home. Your realtor cannot directly help with this step but expert knowledge is useful. You will learn about specific tips for your area. Your agent can guide you through value-adding renovations. Maybe you can make certain changes to the property that will increase its value.
Are you worried that the home appraisal won’t go smoothly? Do you think your home is not in top-notch condition? Would you like to skip the hassle of facing home appraisal and inspection?
You can choose to sell your house as-is. Sell quickly for a fair cash price by working with the expert team at DHS Realty Group. We buy houses in Lawton. We know that selling a home costs you money and it’s more hassle than it should be. Our team creates a plan for buying your home without any inconvenience. We’re direct buyers and can buy on your timeline. Reach out for a free consultation and selling strategy session. 940-249-5752.