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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.

An estimate is more informal than a quote. Estimates are based on the contractor's prior experience, and they are expected to be off by 10% to 15% of the actual project cost and timeline. Quotes are more formal and require far more detailed information outlining the scope and cost of the project, including a thorough inspection of the area where the contractor will work. This is because the quote is expected to become a binding contract while an estimate does not have this expectation.

Adding a second story can increase the resale value of your home, but your cost-to-value ratio might not give you the return on investment (ROI) you were looking for. Also, there are factors to keep in mind that can impact the value of your home, such as market conditions, your neighborhood, curb appeal, and functionality. If you’re hoping this project will give you a significant ROI, talk with a realtor to see what potential increase you can expect and what you can do to maximize your home’s value.

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.