Prepare for an Appraisal

 

Veritas Appraisals and Consulting, LLC's appraisal checklist:

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/building and land (if readily available).

• Records or information on the latest purchase of the property, particularly in the last three years.

• Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway or common wall.

• A list of any personal property or equipment that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an kitchen appliances or business equipment in the case of commercial properties.

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

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

• Information about major property improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of energy efficiency upgrades, carpet, HVAC, roof repairs, etc.)

• Any information regarding a current listing of the subject if it is for sale.

• Information about any "Homeowners Associations" or, if applicable, condo covenants or fees.

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

• For multi-family (rental) and commercial properties, income/expense history, copies of leases and/or rent rolls are also typically needed.

 

Once the appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany them along on the entire site inspection, but it's helpful be present to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any property improvements or features.

 

Here are some other suggestions:

 

• Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. Make sure that all areas of the home/building are accessible (including the attic and crawl space if this is for an FHA or VA loan). For commercial properties, be sure tenants will be able to make their space fully visible/available. 

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see quite a few of homes a year and are no strangers to clutter, but appraisers do need to be able to see all parts of your property.

• Maintenance: Be sure to inform the appraiser ahead of time if there are repairs in process on the property.

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for either an FHA or VA loan, we strongly recommend to ask your appraiser if there are extra things that should be done before they come. While the FHA and VA requirements vary, in general they are limited to obvious health and safety items as noted in the FHA or VA handbooks.