An appraisal is an opinion of value, so anything that is expected to boost your home value is likely to work in your favor when it comes to the appraisal. Things like improving your curb appeal, painting, refinishing floors, and taking care of minor repairs are all good investments prior to ordering an appraisal. It’s also a good idea to clear out any clutter and complete a deep clean beforehand to show your property in the best light possible.

Appraisals aren’t required by law to complete a real estate transaction, but it’s unlikely that a lender will allow a buyer to close on a property without an appraisal, so, effectively, they are usually required. Your mortgage lender uses the property as collateral for your loan, and the appraisal is what the lender will base the mortgage on to confirm the value is there to justify their investment.

The average cost of a property appraisal is around $355, but different appraisers in your area could charge anywhere from $250 to $500. Appraisals for larger properties will often cost more, as will valuations for older properties. Appraisers will use homes in the surrounding area to help determine a valuation as well, so if your home doesn’t conform to the neighborhood standards, the valuation will require more work and will likely cost more.

A licensed appraiser is the only individual that can carry out a property appraisal. You should always check to ensure an appraiser you’re considering has the proper licensing from your state. Additionally, since an appraisal is meant to be an unbiased opinion of a property’s value, you should confirm that the appraiser doesn’t have ties to any other party in the sale of the property.

Anyone can hire a property appraiser to confirm the inherent value of a property, but the buyer or buyer’s lender will usually choose the appraiser and pay the individual for their opinion. It’s also not uncommon for the seller’s side in a real estate transaction to hire an appraiser in order to justify an asking price or negotiate a higher selling price.