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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 short, yes, a pond can add to your home’s value. However, whether it adds value will depend on the condition and aesthetic of your pond. Having this feature already built into a yard’s home can be appealing to homebuyers who value its aesthetic and would prefer not to build it themselves. But if it is not kept in good condition, it could turn buyers away.

Basement bedrooms can count toward your room count and the square footage of your home on an appraisal if they’re fully legal, which means they have proper ventilation and points of egress, as defined by your local building code. Simply partitioning off a space for a bedroom in an otherwise unfinished basement that isn’t a legal living space won’t affect your appraisal value.

Some appraisers hold a Member of the Appraisal Institute designation. This accolade is the highest credential property appraisers can earn. An MAI appraisal is typically used for commercial properties.

While your lender will likely recommend an appraiser, you can also hire a professional home appraiser on your own. Choose someone who is experienced in your type of residential property, and ensure they hold all of the necessary credentials that your state or region requires.