Building enough equity in your home to refinance can be exciting, as this opens the door to funding you and your household may need. In order for your home to be refinanced, it has to go through a home appraisal process to ensure you’re borrowing the right amount in correlation to what your home is worth.
How do I get the most out of my refinance appraisal?
To make sure the appraisal process runs smoothly for the optimal mortgage refinance, there are a few key steps a homeowner can take. Start by doing market research to see how other similar local properties are valued. Gather information about any home upgrades you’ve done, as these can potentially boost your appraisal report.
Boost your curb appeal by making sure junk is off the lawn, the grass is kept neat and plant flowers to add to the appeal of your property.
What hurts a home appraisal for refinance?
There are a few items of high importance to examine proper to getting a home appraisal to ensure positive results. The condition of your heating and cooling systems can negatively affect the appraisal if they need fixing or replacement.
While unique features may delight the owner of a home, this can also have a negative impact on the appraised value due to being difficult to compare against other properties.
Some older homes were built with hazardous materials that are now unacceptable. Getting these materials replaced can increase the chances of a positive home appraisal experience.
Does a messy house impact refinance appraisal?
A messy home usually doesn’t affect an appraisal, however cleaning up the space ahead of time can help the process to go smoothly. A messy home can obscure the features of the space and make it harder for an appraiser to access certain areas.
Using a refinance appraisal checklist can be helpful as you prepare your home to be appraised for refinancing. It’s best to speak with your lender if you have any questions about the process or need help along the way.
About the Author
Ryan Christensen
Responsive, Responsible and Resourceful - How Real Estate Should Be. This is the foundation of our continued success: responsive service, providing accurate and timely information, and demystifying the process. 100% of my business is referral based because I listen to my clients' needs and exceed their expectations. As a full-time real estate broker, I am the best advocate for both my buyers and sellers. I am always available, regardless of the time of day.
Being a native Southern Californian is a tremendous advantage. I know the area. Time is more valuable than money, but neither can be wasted. And, I'm a fan of hard work. My clients can enjoy their home buying and/or selling experience because I provide a trusting, focused, straightforward approach. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals and find joy in homeownership.
I am both a licensed Real Estate and Mortgage Broker. Others choose to concentrate on one or the other. I provide a higher level of service and expertise than those who do not obtain this dual skill set, which differentiates me from other service providers. My decisions and advice are based solely on what is in the best interest of my clients. I use Real Estate Sales as a tool to make sure my clients get the home that meets or exceeds their needs. As a Mortgage Broker, I search for the best loans so I can offer lower rates and pricing than my financing competition. This certainly IS in the client's best interest.