Tuesday, May 29, 2018

What You Need To Know Before Hiring A Home Inspector For A Pre-sale Valuation

By Matthew Ward


An appraisal can make or break a real estate transaction. That aside, it's not unusual for two consequent valuations of the same property to yield varying figures. With that in mind, the fact that you're thinking of putting your house on the market means your attention should be focused on preparing for this process. Granted, looking for and hiring an experienced Home Inspector Houston TX will all but guarantee you of being able to make the most out of the appraisal. Crucial as that is, however, it's worth examining the factors upon which property figures depend, as well as how you could positively affect the same.

There's a good reason why it's often stressed that location is the most significant influence of real estate values. Even within the same city, a few blocks can make a huge difference here. This can mostly be attributed to variations in the surrounding infrastructure and people's perceptions. And while there's little you could do about the location of your home, it's worth keeping it in mind nevertheless.

It's extremely important that both you and the inspector understand how your house compares to other properties in the neighborhood. Your role in this regard will involve digging through public records for information on properties that were sold or valued in the recent past. While this won't necessarily help you predict the outcome of the appraisal, there's nothing wrong with having an idea of what to expect.

Properties that came up within the last 2 decades or so tend to command higher appraisal figures than their older counterparts. Still, the impact of age on the value of real estate isn't always straightforward. A property that has a historical significance attached to it will easily sway over discerning shoppers, its age notwithstanding.

Renovations are of undoubted significance in real estate pricing. Whether it's an increase in your square footage or a kitchen remodel, any improvements made to your property in recent times will positively contribute to its appraisal value. However, it's worth checking how much potential a particular update will have in this regard before taking the plunge.

It's crucial that the costs you've incurred in updating the property be taken into consideration during its valuation. As such, informing your appraiser about the same will be a smart move on your part. Make sure to look for and organize the paperwork documenting the expenses beforehand.

Don't forget to check your maintenance and fix all the minor faults you've been ignoring prior to the inspection. Small as they may seem, these could make a huge difference in the eyes of the appraiser. Their inclusion in the final report will likely cost you more than what you'd incur fixing them, which means you're better off doing it now.

Now that you're putting your house up for sale, maximizing curb appeal should be your top priority. A good first impression always matters, whether you're anticipating an appraisal or staging an open house. More importantly, you only have one chance to showcase your home in its best light. Rather than end up regretting later, why not take the effort to make your it shine now?




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