The Ultimate Home Appraisal Checklist

Having an appraisal done on your home can be a stressful experience, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Preparing for the inspection will not only make the process go a bit more smoothly but can actually help you boost your home’s appraised value. Use this home appraisal checklist to prepare for your appraisal and have your home ready for the inspection.

Exterior Appraisal Checklist

First, the appraiser you hire will inspect the exterior of your home, beginning with a first impression based on curb appeal. The expert will look at the following to determine the value of your home and its condition, so focusing your efforts on related repairs or updates could go a long way.

• Roof condition

• Presence of gutters and downspouts

• Condition of the foundation, including cracks and chipping

• Land size and usability

• Chimney condition

• Quality of landscaping and hardscaping

• Sidewalk, driveway, and walkway condition

• Garage type and condition

• Type and condition of siding and exterior trim

• Age and condition of windows

• Presence of exterior lighting

• Presence of in-ground sprinklers, alarm systems, and other amenities that add value to the home

• Condition and placement of any exterior HVAC equipment

• Condition, placement, and legality of any outbuildings

Interior Appraisal Checklist

Once the local appraiser completes their exterior inspection, they’ll move inside. They’ll normally complete a ground-up inspection on the interior, including a look at the basement or crawl space, all main floors, and any attic space.

• Flooring condition

• Condition of drywall, paint, and trim

• Condition and age of windows and doors

• Presence of insulation in exposed areas, like attics and utility closet walls

• Condition and age of heating and cooling equipment

• Condition and age of major appliances, including fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer

• Type of sewage system

• Functionality and proper placement of light switches, outlets, and light fixtures

• Quality of cabinets and countertops in kitchens and bathrooms

• Proper functionality of plumbing fixtures and appliances

• Interior square footage

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Proper placement of egress windows and doors from all living areas

Health and Safety Checklist

Most house appraisers will also run through a health and safety checklist, which confirms that the home is habitable and safe for whoever is purchasing the home. Some mortgages, like those backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), may not be viable if there are existing health and safety issues. As such, these are especially important things to pay attention to when preparing for a VA or FHA home appraisal inspection:

• Presence of mold

• Evidence of termite damage or pest infestation

• Missing or misplaced handrails on stairs

• Sloped or uneven flooring that could act as a trip hazard

• No broken or cracked glass

• No missing light bulbs

• Functioning GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens

• Presence of functioning smoke and CO detectors

• Peeling paint in homes built in or before 1978

• Presence of asbestos floor tiles or insulation that isn’t properly encapsulated

Maintenance Checklist

Most homeowners will want to improve the appraisal value of their home to get the most out of the sale. It’s a good idea to run through your own maintenance checklist for an appraisal to touch on the things that will have the biggest effect on property value and budget for minor repairs or upkeep in addition to the cost of the home appraisal itself.

• Ensure all rooms are easily accessible and free from clutter.

• Mow and edge the lawn to maximize curb appeal

• Consider mulching flower beds and even upgrading your landscaping to create a good first impression

• Get an HVAC tuneup done to ensure the equipment is working properly

• Clean your gutters to ensure no debris is visible over the top

• Power wash your siding, driveway, and walkways

• Update old electrical and plumbing fixtures

• Consider a fresh coat of paint on the walls

• Sand and refinish wood floors if they’re in poor condition

• Clean windows and exterior doors

• Ensure the basement or crawl space is dry

• Seal any small foundation cracks

• Make sure your appliances and plumbing fixtures work properly

• Clear any slow-draining fixtures in your home

Home Appraisal Checklist for the Actual Inspection

Finally, there are a few things you can do on the day of the appraisal inspection to make sure everything goes smoothly and you don’t run into any problems.

• Have alternate plans for children and pets outside of the home

• If you’ll be home during the appraisal, make yourself available, but don’t distract the appraiser

• Don’t discuss value with your professional, and don’t ask what they believe the value is—they’ll let you know once they finish their report

• Have vital information available, like details about repairs, replacements, or ongoing maintenance for appliances, home systems, windows, doors, insulation, and more

• Have prior appraisals available, if applicable

• Make sure you have homeowners association information ready, as well as homeowners insurance details