At some point in your life, you will sell your home. And when you do, you’ll need to prepare it for inspection and appraisal. Buyers won’t automatically hand over money, just because you say your house is in good condition.
Preparing your home, though, can be a challenging task. You need to know what to do and how to do it.
That’s where this post can help. We take a look at everything you need to do to get more money when you sell. Read on to learn more.
Inspection vs. Appraisal
First of all, let’s clarify the difference between inspection and appraisal. An inspection is a thorough examination of the condition and functionality of your home by a licensed professional. The inspector will check things like plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, roofing, foundation, and more. The inspection report will identify any defects or issues that need to be fixed or disclosed to the buyer.
An appraisal is something different. It’s all about estimating what your home is worth on the market. (Usually, the mortgage company will do this for the buyer, but you might want to get one yourself to figure out what the property is actually worth).
How To Prepare Your Home For Inspection And Appraisal
Now that’s out of the way, what do you actually need to do to prepare your home for inspection and appraisal?
Give It A Good Clean And Declutter
The first step is to clean and declutter. A clean and tidy home will make a good impression on both the inspector and the appraiser. It will also make it easier for them to access and inspect every part of your home.
Think about it: imagine you ask someone to tell you what your home is worth, but they can’t see all parts of the house because there’s so much mess. In all likelihood, it’ll affect their valuation, and the valuation buyers ascribe to the property.
Make Repairs
The next step is to repair anything that’s gone wrong. Sort out leaky faucets, loose doorknobs, cracked tiles, or peeling paint. Also, make sure your building is structurally sound. Read up on common FAQ’s about foundation repair, roof repair, and how to fix problems with your chimney stack if you have one.
While making repairs is costly, it can dramatically affect how much buyers are willing to spend on the home. The better everything looks, the more value they will perceive.
Update Lighting And Fixtures
You can also boost the appeal and value of your home by updating the lighting and fixtures. Replace any burnt-out bulbs, outdated fixtures, or broken switches with modern alternatives that look better and last longer. Keep the lighting bright when you showcase your property to potential buyers to make it brighter and more welcoming.
Enhance Your Curb Appeal
Lastly, you’ll want to do things that enhance your property’s curb appeal. Stuff like making the garden look nice and replacing the mailbox can all make a significant difference in how people perceive your home.