Skip to content 
1. Act Like a Potential Buyer
We live in our homes every single day. It’s so easy to forget about how a space looks and feels to those who are coming to visit for the first time. Before the appraisal, take an hour or so and walk through your home as if you were on “House Hunters.” Is your home looking it’s best? Are there a few easy fixes (#2 below) that you’ve been meaning to fix but never found the time or energy?
A well maintained looking home will make you feel like you did all that you could do to prepare for the appraisal and show off your awesome place.
When you’re walking around, write down areas that you think could use small improvements, room by room. You’ll go back through the rooms in tip #6, but right now you’re acting like an appraiser.
2. Fill in Any Spots with Spackle
Now that you have a list of small cosmetic updates, make spackle your new BFF.
3. Touch Up Paint
Like the spackle project, look for areas that just need a touch of paint. Touching up on walls, trim, doors, and baseboards can make a room like a million bucks.
In addition to touching up with paint, find a wood marker that matches your kitchen cabinets or floors. This is an easy hack for filling in any scratches or knicks that occurred over the years.
Your home will look so much better with a bit of extra make up and look well maintained.
4. The Magic Eraser Is Your Friend
I’m pretty sure the magic eraser was invented to solve most problems. 🙂 If you have scuff marks and don’t want to paint or cannot paint a certain area, use the magic eraser to clean up what you can.
5. Tidy Up
This seems like common sense, I know! However, again, you want to show off all the hard work you’ve done in patching holes and touching up paint. Leaving laundry lying around may not directly affect your home value, but it’s not showing your hard work in the best light.
While you’re straightening up, declutter paperwork on the counters. Rather than stuff them in a drawer, quickly go through them and make a pile for the ‘to keeps’ and don’t feel guilty about tossing the rest away.
If you don’t have the laundry folded, shove it back into the dryer! Place any dirty dishes into the dishwasher rather than leaving then on the counter top. Make your beds and straighten up the kitchen and bathrooms. It doesn’t hurt to spend some time trying to eliminate smells. While you don’t want to overwhelm an appraiser with room spray, try to Febreeze your spaces a few days before the appraisal and shortly before your appointment.
6. Jot Down Your Home Improvements
Start brainstorming all the projects you’ve completed since move-in. This may be as simple as walking through each room and jotting down notes. You’d be amazed at how quickly you forget updates and even major improvements. Don’t forget to stop by your basement to recall improvements with water heaters, etc…
Once you’ve walked each room, type up your improvements by room. Spending the time to prepare the list will give you items to discuss and make sure you feel like you didn’t forget something to mention post-appraisal. Provide this list to the appraiser or your agent before they leave. Your improvements may be discussed during your walk-through appraisal.
7. Include any photos of mid-project plans
If you’re in the middle of any major room renovations, add a materials list or mood board/room mock up to your home improvement documentation. It may benefit you if your appraiser can see that you are improving the house and which products are being used. You never know what may tip the scales for more value for your home!
While an appraisal may be stressful to think about, you can control your part of the appraisal ahead of time. A clean home showing it’s best side and written documentation can help you feel like you’ve done all that you can do to maximize your home’s value prior to the appraiser’s visit. While it may never be ‘fun,’ experience, it’s something that you can feel prepared and ready for!
