Conser Appraisals, Inc.'s appraisal to-do list

Did you know you, as a borrower, are entitled to receive a copy of the final appraisal report from the lender? Just give us a call at 541-981-2491 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To speed the appraisal process along as quickly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, ready for the appraiser:

  • A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

  • Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.

  • Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.

  • A list of any personal property that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.

  • Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.

  • Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property.

  • Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and wells.

  • A list of any major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of energy efficiency upgrades 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 "proposed" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

When the appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany them along on the entire site inspection, but can be helpful be available to answer questions about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other helpful recommendations:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very meticulous in their inspections. We recommend 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 home value.

  • Maintenance: We often recommend fixing 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: putting smoke detectors on every floor of the home and especially near bedrooms, removing and repainting where there's paint peeling, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.