Best property appraisers near Shakopee, MN

The purpose of the home appraisal determines which party pays for it. You’re generally responsible for the cost if you need to know the current value of your home to refinance your mortgage, though in some instances the lender will pay for it. The buyer pays for the appraisal when they are applying for their mortgage.

While some aspects of an appraisal, such as comparable properties nearby, are out of your control, there are several steps you can take to potentially increase your home's value. Make any necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser's visit, as they can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. Examples include renovating older areas, updating landscaping to boost curb appeal, and staging your home. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades, which may increase your home's value by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.

Yes, the age of your home can impact its value. However, age is just one of many factors that will have an effect. An older home may be perceived as needing more work and maintenance, but if you’ve kept up with repairs or done any renovations, this will increase its value. Buyers will also consider the size of the house, location, and how nearby homes are priced. Lastly, value also depends on whether it’s a buyer or seller’s market.

Appraisals can come in above or below the list price or offer price for a property, and where it falls depends on many factors. Those include the condition of the property, the location, and the age of the home, but often, the condition of the market is the biggest determining factor. Where demand is high for properties, buyers compete with each other for homes, which tends to drive up offer prices above where appraisals come in. Where demand is low, you’ll often see the opposite happening.