| Getting ready for an typical real estate appraisal of a | | | | measurements of the interior of the garage and look |
| home is not complicated. Once the loan application has | | | | into water heater and AC closets, so be sure these |
| been approved, an appraiser is assigned to the | | | | areas are as clear and accessible as possible. |
| property either by the lender, or in the case of loans | | | | The appraiser's worst enemy (next to a thunderstorm) |
| for veterans, by VA itself. | | | | is thorny or impassible shrubs or trees next to the |
| The lender must provide the assignment order form | | | | house. They need to be able to use a measuring tape |
| along with a sale contract. Recent changes in the law | | | | along each outside wall. |
| require that appraisers dealing with a sale situation | | | | Dogs that bite are a problem but sometimes owners |
| must review and analyze the sale contract. | | | | do not realize that their otherwise trusty and gentle pet |
| Refinances and other types of requests will of course | | | | may bite a stranger too. Dogs should always be |
| not have a sale contract. | | | | penned up somehow and not left in the back yard |
| Ready access to the property must be available to | | | | when the appraiser arrives. It is best not to pen the |
| avoid delays. Most appraisers are members of the | | | | dog inside the home or the garage unless they are |
| local Board of REALTORS and normally possess a | | | | confined to a cage, since the appraiser will need to |
| lock box key. Our experience with tenant-occupied | | | | enter all rooms and the garage. |
| properties is that it works best when the listing agent | | | | Copies of seller disclosure notices are always |
| directly assists in setting up appointments. This helps | | | | welcome along with lists of recent sales and other |
| the tenant feel more secure since they are already | | | | marketing information. It's hard to give an appraiser too |
| familiar with the agent. | | | | much information. Especially useful is a copy of a |
| It is always helpful for home owners to have their | | | | recent survey. |
| homes clean and in order. Appraisers are by tradition | | | | It is not normally necessary for the owner to be |
| looking at a home from the viewpoint of a buyer, so a | | | | absent during the appraisal. Most appraisers don't mind |
| good impression is important. By the same token, | | | | if someone is there, especially when there are pets |
| appraisers often encounter a home when the owner is | | | | around. Burglar alarms should always be left off if the |
| in the process of moving out, so boxes and other | | | | appraiser is allowed to visit the home when no one is |
| items are sometimes in disarray. This is okay. | | | | there. |
| Appraisers understand this and are more concerned | | | | Real estate appraisers are pretty easy going folks. |
| about being able to have full access to all areas, | | | | They want and need your cooperation as much as |
| including the garage, than how the moving items look. | | | | you do theirs. The modern appraiser typically |
| The appraiser is likely going to need to take | | | | approaches a job with an open mind. |