Gearing up for an appraisal from Haslett Appraisal


	Did you know you, as a borrower, are entitled to receive a copy of the finished appraisal report from the lender? Just give us a call at 8038076242 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To aid the appraisal process, it's recommended to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if available).
Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.
List of personal property to be sold with the building.
Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.
Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
Locate copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, if the sale is "pending", the purchase agreement.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees.
A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

When the appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but generally you'll want to be available to answer inquiries about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other suggestions:

Accessibility: Appraisers are very thorough in their inspections. Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.
Housekeeping: Appraisers see quite a few of homes a year and aren't surprised at seeing a bit of clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can translate into a higher value for your home.
Maintenance: We generally recommend fixing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.
FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for either an FHA or VA loan, definitely ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they arrive. Some items they may recommend might be: installing smoke detectors on every floor of the home and especially near bedrooms, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each receptacle works, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, replacing broken glass.