Phoenix Valuations, LLC's appraisal to-do list


	To appraise a property, an appraiser needs to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Just give us a call at 480.634.5980 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

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

A survey or plot map of the property and building (if readily available).
Records on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.
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 your well.
A list of any major home improvements and enhancements, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
A copy of the current listing agreement with broker's data sheet and purchase agreement if a sale is "pending".
Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
A list of "suggested" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany them along on the entire site inspection, but you should be available to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other helpful tips:

Accessibility: Appraisers are very meticulous in their inspections. You should make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.
Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can mean a higher value for your home.
Maintenance: We generally suggest repairing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.
FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, we strongly recommend to ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they arrive. Some items they may recommend might be: installing handrails on all stairways, where paint is peeling it should be scraped and repainted, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, replacing broken glass.