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.

A comprehensive smart home system can be really attractive to buyers and increase the value of your property. Components such as a smart security system, smart lawn and garden systems, and smart appliances can all drive up the value of your property.

Yes, an outdoor kitchen can increase your home's value, as outdoor living areas are increasingly popular among potential homebuyers. The return on investment (ROI) can vary significantly, with estimates ranging from 50% to as high as 200%. In many cases, homeowners can expect to at least break even on the project. The final ROI depends on several factors, including the kitchen's size, design, and quality, the materials used, and whether it was professionally installed. Other considerations that impact value are your home's location, how well the kitchen is maintained, and how soon you sell after the remodel. However, be mindful that an outdoor kitchen that takes up a large portion of your usable yard space could be seen as a drawback by some buyers.

The differences between market value and appraised value depend on the local market, so they can match, or either one can be higher than the other. In a “seller’s market,” where there is an abundance of buyers, market value will likely sit higher than the appraised value because there’s more demand for the low inventory of homes. In a “buyer’s market,” where there are more homes than there are buyers, the market value is more likely to sit below the appraised value to entice buyers.