You may be considering selling your home to purchase a newer, larger one. Or maybe you may want to cash in on the lower rates by refinancing your current mortgage. Either way, your home appraisal is a critical part of this process and you want your home to appraise as high as possible. You could get stuck in a bind if your appraisal comes in low, so prepare for your inspection by doing some simple fixes around the house.

These four simple repairs can raise the value of your home in the eyes of an appraiser so that you qualify for that refinance or meet the expectations of your home buyer:

1. PAINT AND PATCH

A freshly painted room looks clean and updated, so taking the time to apply a fresh coat of paint to older rooms can provide a significant return on a small investment. Neutral colors appeal to more people, so consider choosing off-white, beige or gray works well with almost every decorating theme. Be sure to patch any nail holes or other blemishes before you paint in order to give a smooth, finished appearance.

2. CLEAN UP THE LAWN

An appraiser begins taking notes the moment they pull into your drive. They note any dead bushes in the front of the home, piles of debris and other items that could detract from the curb appeal of the home. Clear all leaves, dead branches and other items from flower beds and add fresh mulch or stone. Pull weeds and rake leaves to give the lawn a fresh appearance.Pick up any trash or other debris that may have blown from roadways, a trash bin or the neighbor’s yard.

3. INSPECT YOUR HVAC SYSTEM

One of the most important features of your home is your HVAC system. Be sure to change filters in your system at least once each month. Before you have your home appraised, contact a local contractor you trust to inspect your system to be sure it is operating efficiently and safely. They can provide you with a written report that can be given to the appraiser, certifying that your system is working properly.

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

If there are items in your home that present health or safety issues, they should be fixed prior to the appraisal. Railings should be installed on all steps and stairwells. Raised decks should have railings. Replace any outlets that are within ten feet of a water source that are not GFI outlets. Be sure all electrical outlets are covered. For more ideas and information, check out the that will help with the outcome of your home appraisal.

When you morph from homeowner to home seller

…you need to be aware of what you will have to share with potential buyers via the Home Seller’s Disclosure. Although you may feel uncomfortable revealing certain problems in your home or think they will discourage potential buyers, it’s best to be open about issues before your home goes under contract.

Need more info? Ask us anytime! Brian O’Neill is here to answer all of your questions and help you make the most informed, confident decisions possible.