10 ways you can strengthen your home's appraised value.

1. MAKE SURE THE APPRAISER IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR IMMEDIATE AREA.

Is he familiar with what is going on within a 5-mile radius of your Home? If the appraiser doesn't know your area really well, your appraisal will not be as strong as if the appraiser knew the area.

Request a local appraiser when requesting an appraisal; if there is a short supply of appraisers in your immediate neighborhood; make sure you provide as much information as you can about the desirability of your local area.

2. HAVE EXCELLENT SALES COMPARISON INFORMATION.

Provide your appraiser with at two to three good and similarly-priced comparable properties. You will save the appraiser work and time, and you will know they are getting sales information from homes that are most comparable to yours.

Title Companies can help with recent sales prices and details such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in a home. Get the details from a property profile and public records in your area.

3. ADD VALUE.

Your kitchen and bathrooms will ad the most value to your home. This came directly from a study sponsored by the National Association of Realtors. Wood floors, landscaping and an enclosed garage will also substantiate some value in your home.

4. SHOW YOUR RENOTION RECEIPTS.

Take before-and-after pictures and show what you have done. Detail structural improvements to electrical systems, heating and cooling systems - These things can boost the value in an appraisal. Document what you have done and you will reap the benefits.

5. BRAG ON YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

If your area has recently seen some new exciting developments, such as upscale shopping, award winning schools, new restaurants, museums, parks or other facilities, tell your appraiser.

6. MAKE SURE THEY GET THE SQUARE FOOTAGE CORRECT.

A finished sun room or screened in porch does not add to the overall square footage of your house. So they don't add anywhere near as much value on improvements as adding a bedroom or increasing the size of your kitchen with permits.

7. KEEP GOOD CARE.

Appraisers can be influenced by a clean, nicely landscaped. Trimmed trees, a few flowers and a well taken care of yard will help the appraised value.

Clean the clutter in your home as well. It will help the home show better and even makes the home appear larger.

8. DON'T FOLLOW THE APPRAISER AROUND.

Many homeowners and listing agents follow the appraiser around during the inspection but this behavior is a major red flag that there might be a problem with the house.

Keep your distance and make the appraiser's job as easy and pleasing as possible by giving your home a nice scent. Clean the refrigerator and put the litter box outside. Baking some fresh bread or chocolate chip cookies you may just gain some value.

9. LESS IS MORE.

If there are junky cars in the driveway, send them to your friends' house until after the appraisal is completed. If the windows are dirty, give them a good washing. Have some soothing music on in the house when the appraiser comes to inspect the property. He will only be there for a short time so you want to make the best first impression as possible.

10. ASK FOR A SOLID, RESPECTABLE, NATIONAL APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

You should make sure that the appraiser that is appraising your house is affiliated with a solid AMC (like Liberty One!). For more information or resources please feel free to contact me.

Kevin Prince
SVP National Sales
M: 858-926-8904
F: 800-659-4986
Corporate: 267-507-6016
kprince@liberty1amc.com
www.liberty1amc.com