4 Tips for a Higher Home Appraisal

4 Tips for a Higher Home Appraisal

Home appraisals are a huge determining factor in getting a reasonable rate when refinancing your home. While a super low rate spells doom and gloom for the whole refinancing idea, higher loan terms are equally unpalatable. What homebuyers are searching for through handyman in Aurora IL is that sweet spot where the appraisal leads to a favorable assessment, which then widens the pool of available loan options that offer better payment terms and lower interest.

Some of the tips for getting a higher appraisal are quite simple, like making sure that your home is spotless when the appraiser comes so that they’re able to see the house at its best.

Here are a few more useful tips that you can use to tip the scales in your favor when the appraiser comes:

Make Small Repairs

There are probably a few repairs that need to be done around your house which you have been postponing for quite some time. Now would be a good time to get them done to improve your chances of getting a higher appraisal for your home. The most important thing here is to make sure that everything is in mint condition and in optimal working order, especially when it comes to the major systems.  

Document All Recent Improvements

handyman Aurora IL involves taking into consideration any remodels that you’ve done to the property, so you need to keep all the receipts, licenses and permits that are associated with your home’s upgrades and improvements, and make digital backups as well just in case. You’ll do well to take before-and-after photos of each home improvement project, which you can show to the appraiser as additional proof of all the improvements that you’ve done.   

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

One of the most important factors that an appraiser looks for during handyman services Aurora IL is the exterior condition of the house. You have to consider the fact that your home’s exterior is the first impression that buyers will have of the house and it greatly affects their overall perspective on the home’s value. Apart from ensuring that the landscaping is on point, you can increase your home’s curb appeal by mulching the flower beds, putting elegant outdoor seating on your patio, placing container plants and flowers strategically so that they stand out in the right way, and be sure to clean the outdoor lights and existing foliage as well.  

Make Comparisons

Check out the value of similar homes in your area to get an idea of what the value of your home should be. You can do this by visiting your local county office and asking them for the selling price of some of the homes in your area, as well as a list of homes that have sold in the past six months so that you can see for yourself what determines the price.

You can then use the information you get from this research to challenge and rule out any below-rate comparisons that the appraiser might try to use in valuing your house. However, be sure to make your challenge before the appeal process, as doing it afterward might not get you any positive results.