HOME APPRAISAL

Charles E. Volk

Selling your home is a long journey, and it doesn't just end with an accepted offer. Unless your buyer is paying in cash, the lender is going to want to make sure that the house is really worth

the price that you've agreed on - and a home appraiser is the one who'll come check out your house and make that ultimate decision. If the appraiser feels your house isn't worth the agreed-

upon price, the lender won't give your buyer full funding and the deal might fall through. Back to square one.

Time for some elbow grease.

Touch up any spots on the carpets, give the appliances a thorough cleaning, dust and shine the cabinets, and mow the yard. Do your walls show wear and tear? Fresh paint in a neutral color can do wonders for a room.

Check for health and safety issues.

Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are installed within 15 feet of all bedrooms. Smoke detectors should be installed inside each bedroom at the doorway. New batteries won’t hurt.

Take a look at your water heater - it requires two straps. Last but not least, check with local building codes to make sure you haven’t crossed any lines with recent home improvement projects.

Ensure all room additions have proper permits.

Repair any damaged areas. That small area of downed fencing you’ve been overlooking for years? It will stick out like a sore thumb to an appraiser. Fix any dents in your garage doors, and replace any areas of broken or cracked glass. Repair any dry rot problems and/or paint exterior if exposed wood is apparent.

Ensure all mechanical equipment is in working order.

Repair roofing. If leaks are present, and the roof has at least 2 years of remaining life, contact a licensed contractor and have it fixed.

So that’s the scoop! Appraisers are normal people. When we see something that looks nice, looks clean, and presents well, we’ll have a better impression of the property. Doing all

of the above will ensure that you squeeze every last bit of value out of our appraisal.

Ready for us? Call VolkHaus Appraisals at (720) 232-1075 or email at charles@volkhaus.com.