"Hired to do valuation of a manufactured home - not on land. Gave appraisal comparison properties included land. therefore not an accurate valuation. Thought salesperson understood nuance."
Xeriscaping can absolutely increase your home value, but the return on investment (ROI) depends on where you live and how prevalent xeriscaping is in your area. In drought-prone climates, xeriscaping can boost your curb appeal and make your home more appealing to buyers due to the reduced maintenance and watering costs. However, in areas where xeriscaping isn’t the norm, some buyers may be willing to pay less for a xeriscaped property if they don’t like the appearance.
Estate shutters are considered a high-end window treatment that increases home value. As previously mentioned, this project comes with an ROI of up to 75%. Shutters can also improve your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you choose PVC or faux wood shutters, which will lead to long-term savings on your energy bills.
A koi pond may add value to your home if it’s a feature sellers are looking for. Like pools, ponds can affect your property value depending on their condition, whether they’re a popular selling point, and how well they’re incorporated into your home’s landscape.
Your home insurance company may allow you to use an appraisal instead of an inspection when you apply for coverage. Keep in mind that despite this, an appraisal is far less detailed than the different types of home inspections available and may not reveal potential risks that you’ll want to know about.
In cases where an appraisal comes in lower than an offer price, sellers might opt to lower their asking price to meet the appraisal, especially if the market is slow, and replacing the offer with a higher one may take a long time. Sellers can also offer to make repairs to boost the appraised value, hire another appraiser to get a second opinion, or just move on to another offer that isn’t contingent on the buyer getting a mortgage or an appraisal inspection.
The Lancaster, MO homeowners’ guide to property appraisals
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Home appraisals are an important part of buying or selling a home and getting a mortgage loan. Learn more about home appraisal costs and what they include.
FHA loans are backed by the government and come with specific FHA appraisal guidelines and requirements. Learn what an FHA appraisal entails in this guide.