How Is a House Appraisal Done?
Many homeowners are afraid to let their messy homes be appraised. But the truth of the matter is your mess won't really affect the appraised value of your home. Yes, the appraiser will give his opinion but it is hardly ever subjective. That is because they follow certain standards in doing the appraisal. So, if you are refinancing or selling the house, you should get it appraised right away so you can proceed with the sale or the loan. For instance, an appraiser would only be able to continue his appraisal if he has at least three similar properties to compare your house to. Then since no two houses are the same, he would make adjustments according to the unique amenities and features your house has. In general, the appraised value of your home would be affected by the number of bedrooms and baths. The appraiser would also check the amenities and the square footage of the property. So again, the appraiser would usually look at similar properties that have recently been sold. Of course he would also check the income and lifestyle of the residents. The average age and value of the homes in your house's immediate surroundings would also be considered.