Preparing for an Appraisal
Home Appraisal Preparation Checklist
A little preparation helps the inspection go smoothly — here's exactly what's worth doing beforehand.
You don't need to stage your home like a listing photo shoot before an appraisal — but a bit of preparation makes the inspection faster and helps the appraiser accurately document everything that matters. Here's a practical, room-by-room approach.
Before the Appraiser Arrives: Access
Documentation Worth Gathering
See our full documents guide for more detail on what's relevant to different assignment types.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-improving right before the appraisal
Major last-minute renovations rarely pay for themselves in time and can complicate scheduling if work is incomplete.
Hiding or downplaying known issues
An appraiser documents observable condition regardless — being upfront is more useful than being caught off guard.
Assuming tidiness changes the number
General cleanliness doesn't move an appraised value; functional condition and documented characteristics do.
Forgetting to mention completed work
If you don't point out a finished basement or new roof, make sure it's at least visually obvious or documented.