Some nice hints to save you time on your appraisal from Gipson Real Estate Services, LLC


	Legally, an appraiser must be licensed by the state to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to Freddie Mac, Office of Thrift Supervision and the like. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To simplify the appraisal process, it's recommended to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).
Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.
List of personal property to be sold with the home.
Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.
Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and your well.
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
Locate copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees.
A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort them along on the entire site inspection, but can be helpful be available to answer questions about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other helpful suggestions:

Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. You should make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.
Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and aren't surprised at seeing a bit of clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can translate into a better value for your home.
Maintenance: We generally recommend fixing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.
FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, definitely ask your appraiser if there are extra things that should be done before they come. Some things they may recommend might be: having handrails on all stairways, where paint is peeling it should be sanded and repainted, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, replacing broken glass.