How to prepare for a home appraisal inspection

Once you accept an offer, a home appraisal is an important next step, especially if the buyer is getting a mortgage. An appraiser will contact either you or your listing agent to arrange a time for the physical inspection. Being prepared and open about your home's condition can help the process go smoothly.

How can sellers prepare for an appraiser's inspection?

The home appraisal experts from The Appraisal Foundation suggest the following steps to help you prepare for your home's appraisal inspection.

1. Gather your home's important documents

   Start by rounding up paperwork related to major home renovations, repairs, and upgrades, noting what was done, when, and the cost. This information will help the appraiser better understand your home's current condition and the improvements you made.

   After collecting your documents, use our Home Appraisal Prep Tool to combine them with details about your home. It will create a concise property summary to share with your appraiser.

2. Communicate with the appraiser

   Good communication with the appraiser helps keep the home appraisal process on track and avoid delays. When the appraiser contacts you to set up an inspection time, let them know what types of documents you have and ask if there's anything else they might need.

3. Get to know the market in your area

   It's helpful to understand what's happening in your local housing market. Are homes selling quickly? Are there bidding wars? You can also highlight features of your home that are popular in your area, like a big backyard or a modern kitchen. This can help the appraiser see how your home fits into the current market.

4. Clean up and clear any clutter

   Even though appraisers don't look at a home's tidiness when developing their opinion of value, a quick clean-up can help make the inspection go faster. Clearing clutter makes it easier for the appraiser to access and see all parts of your home more clearly. This also helps show off the best features of your house and makes sure nothing important is accidentally overlooked.

5. Make sure all parts of your home are accessible

   Appraisers typically need access to every area of a home, including the attic, basement, and other buildings on the property (like a shed, barn, or garage). It's best to have these spaces unlocked and ready for the appraiser in case they need to inspect them. If no one will be there to meet the appraiser, leaving clear instructions for more difficult-to-reach areas (like crawl spaces, latched doors, etc.) can help avoid delays or additional visits.

6. Provide a realistic view of your home

   While you might want to focus on the best parts of your home, it's also important to mention areas that might need some work. Being open and upfront about this lets the appraiser get a complete picture of your home's condition and value. It can also help prevent any unexpected issues with the buyer later.

If you have time before the appraisal inspection, consider sprucing up the outside of your home, as it's often the appraiser's first impression. In most cases, things like landscaping, exterior upkeep, and the condition of the front entrance can affect the home's value. A well-kept exterior could potentially increase your home's appraised value.

As you prepare to have your home appraised, explore our Home Appraisal Advisor for more answers to your appraisal questions.