Some great tips to expedite your appraisal from Steamboat Appraisals

Legally, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to Fannie Mae, FDIC, etc. Just give us a call at 3074217088 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To help the appraisal go as smoothly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, ready for the appraiser:

  • A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

  • Any information on the purchase of the property for the last three years.

  • Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.

  • A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.

  • Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.

  • A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

  • Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and your well.

  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

  • Find copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.

  • Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo covenants or fees.

  • A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be present to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other recommendations:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. We recommend that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

  • Housekeeping: Appraisers see a lot of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can translate into a higher home value.

  • Maintenance: We often suggest repairing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for either an FHA or VA loan, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: having a banister on all stairways, removing and touching up where there's paint peeling, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, replacing broken glass.