If you are planning to refinance or sell your home, an appraisal is necessary to determine the value of your home. You want your home to be in the best condition before this happens so it will be appraised at the highest possible value. There are many small steps you can take to have the appraisal go well.
Start with Some Spackle
If you have lived in your current home for a while, you likely had shelves or pictures hung on the walls. There might also have been some accidents that caused damages to your walls. Before your appraisal would be the perfect time to fix those small imperfections.
Fill the holes with some spackle and put some fresh paint over those areas. This will have your walls looking fresh and new earning you a higher amount during the appraisal, as there are fewer damages.
While You are Painting…
You might want to think about repainting all the walls of your home. Also, if your trim and moldings are dull, repainting them can bring life back into the house. This will also boost your home’s appeal and add some additional value to it.
Keep an eye out for any peeling or chipping paint, or anywhere where the luster could be restored with a new coat.
Touch Up Crawl Spaces
If you can, you should consider updating your crawl spaces. They give homeowners and contractors access to the different systems within the house. However, they can also be damaged by water or have issues with bugs and dust, so be sure to check this out ahead of time. To keep your crawl space protected, be sure to seal it with barriers to keep out pests and moisture.
Give Your Home a Deep Clean
Of course, you will want to clean your home thoroughly. This is especially true if you have pets or kids as you are probably “nose blind” to the smells. Damaged floors will be one of the first things that your appraiser sees and they can deduct value for that.
Think about hiring a professional to come and clean the carpets and wax the floors. Give your house a deep clean or hire a professional to clean your home. You want it to look as nice as possible for when the appraiser arrives. Give yourself enough time to do everything you need to; you do not want to rush and stress yourself out the day before.
Repair Other Items
Do a “tour” of your home from the point of view as someone interested in buying it. Doing so will help you to notice any problems that need attention. Since you live here and see them every day, unsightly areas have likely become invisible to you.
Look for items that need to be repaired – this could be leaking faucets or a damaged electrical outlet. Taking care of the repairs before the appraiser comes will ensure that you do not lose a lot of value during the appraisal.
By doing all of these small tasks and taking the time to liven up your home before the appraisal, you might increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars. These tips can get you started, but if you find yourself running into any problems or are confused about something, do not be afraid to contact Wendy Gimpel Real Estate. We can provide staging tips as well as decorating suggestions to help you get the most for your appraisal.
Call Wendy Gimpel Today!
You can increase the value of your home before the appraisal even begins by simply taking the time to spruce it up a bit. Be sure to take care of any obvious flaws and check your appliances for issues. Doing so will be to your immediate benefit when trying to refinance or sell your house.
Wendy Gimpel Real Estate can help with buying or selling your home in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Located in Stillwater, Wendy has the skills and know-how to both buy and sell your home without stress. As the #1 real estate agent in Stillwater, you’ll know you are in good hands with Wendy!
