How Appraisers Determine Property Values
An appraiser’s job is to protect the interests of the mortgage company. Lenders want to be sure that if forced to foreclose on a property, they will be able to sell it for enough to cover the amount their customer borrowed.
The appraised value of the home is also crucial to the buyer. If the appraisal of a piece of property comes back higher than the asking price of the house, the buyer is lucky enough to have instant equity in the home.
Appraisers Run Comps
Just like realtors, appraisers run comps when determining a home’s value. They look at the sale price of similar neighboring properties that have sold within the last six months. Appraisers can’t compare apples to oranges to determine value. They need to make sure the other properties are truly comparable in location, size, condition, age, and upgrades.
Appraisers Check the Property
Appraisers are not home inspectors. Home inspectors are hired by the buyer to check the integrity of the home. Inspectors will tell the buyer whether or not the roof needs to be replaced or whether the furnace is on its last leg.
Home inspections may take several hours to complete, but a visit from a home appraiser may take less than an hour.
When an appraiser visits the property, he or she checks the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Appraisers review the square footage of the home. They check to see if the basement is finished or not. Appraisers are also aware of the value of the land the house sits upon.
Appraisers Look for Upgrades
When an appraiser looks through a home, they may take note of particular upgrades that raise the value of the house. While appraisers are not as interested in décor or surface cleanliness, they may note if the home has hardwood floors or new tile in the bathroom. They may not see if the air conditioning unit works perfectly or not, but they may note whether or not it works and the approximate age of the unit.
Things That Can Negatively Impact an Appraisal
Although appraisers are not there to judge you on the cleanliness of your home, they will notice if items are in disrepair.
Appraisers may note if the carpeting is stained or shows wear, or if the vanity in the bathroom looks as if it is from the 1980s. They will notice if windows are cracked or if the kitchen linoleum is gouged. Each of these pings on the appraisal report can reduce the amount the home is worth, hundreds of dollars at a time.
Maybe you watch as your neighbors put sale signs up in their front lawns. Perhaps you wonder, “where can I find a property value estimator?” Instead of hiring an appraiser, your first step to determine your home’s potential value is to reach out to a low-commission real estate agent. While traditional realtors charge 3% of the price of the home to sell your house, a discounted agent may only charge between 1% and 2%.