How To Get Your House Appraised In Houston

It’s no secret that Houston’s housing market is on the rise. In order to take advantage of this, many homeowners are looking to get their houses appraised in order to determine how much their home is worth. If you’re one of these homeowners, make sure you follow these tips to ensure a smooth and stress-free appraisal process.

Why get a home appraisal?

There are a few reasons why you might want to get your house appraised. Perhaps you’re thinking of refinancing and need to know how much your home is worth in order to qualify.

Maybe you’re considering selling and want to find out what your home could potentially sell for. Or, maybe you’re just curious about how the housing market is doing in your area.

Regardless of your reason, getting a home appraisal is a good idea to get an accurate estimate of your home’s value.

Here are a few common reasons why homeowners chose to home appraisals:

To get an accurate estimate of their property’s value
To find out how much their home is worth in case they want to sell
To see how the housing market is doing in their area
To get a pre-approval for a mortgage or refinancing
To see if they would be able to refinance
To see what their home is worth for insurance purposes
If they are thinking about selling in the near future
If there has been a recent change in their neighborhood that may have affected their home’s value
You have made improvements or plan to in the near future

What do home buyers need to know about appraisals?

If you’re in the process of buying a home, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to get an appraisal as part of the loan process.

Your lender will want to make sure that the home you’re purchasing is worth at least as much as the amount you’re borrowing.

The appraiser will take into account things like the size of the home, the location, any recent upgrades or renovations, and comparable homes in the area to come up with a value for the property.

If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, you may have to negotiate with the seller to lower the price or come up with additional cash to make up the difference.

It’s important to remember that an appraisal is just one person’s opinion of value and that the final decision on whether or not to purchase the home is ultimately up to you.

What do sellers need to know about appraisals?

If you’re planning on selling your home, you may want to get an appraisal to give you an idea of how much your home is worth in the current market.

While appraisals are not required, they can give you a good starting point to price your home competitively.

It’s important to keep in mind that just because your home appraises for a certain amount, doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll necessarily get for it when you sell.

The final price of your home will depend on a number of factors, including the current market conditions, the desirability of your neighborhood, and how motivated the buyers are.

If you’re considering getting an appraisal before listing your home for sale, be sure to ask your agent for a referral to a reputable appraiser in your area.

Steps to get a home appraisal in Houston

While the process may vary slightly from one appraiser to another, there are some general steps you can take to ensure a smooth appraisal experience.

1. Get a free online home value estimate

Before you go through the hassle and expense of getting a home appraisal, it’s a good idea to get an estimate of its value. You can do this by using a free online tool like Zillow’s Home Value Estimator. This will give you a ballpark figure to work with.

2. Contact a few licensed appraisers in your area and ask for a quote

It’s important to get a few quotes from different appraisers in order to find the best price. You can usually find a list of appraisers in your area by doing a simple Google search.

Search online: Need to find a great appraiser in Houston. You can find one with a quick online search. You can also search for areas around Houston such as Sugar Land, Richmond, and Katy to name a few examples.
Get a referral: You could also ask your friends, family, or real estate agent if they have any recommendations.
Check with your lender: If you’re getting one for mortgage purposes, your lender may have a specific appraiser they recommend or require you to use.

3. Schedule an appointment with the appraiser of your choice

Once you’ve chosen an appraiser, make sure to schedule an appointment with them as soon as possible. Many appraisers book up quickly, so it’s best to reserve your spot as soon as you can.

4. Prepare your home for the appraisal

While you don’t need to go overboard, there are a few things you can do to prepare your home for the appraiser.

Make sure all the rooms are clean and clutter-free. This includes putting away any personal items like family photos or mementos.

You should also make sure any major repairs are taken care of before the appraiser arrives. This could include fixing any broken windows, repairing any holes in the walls, fixing leaks, etc. This will help to get the highest value for your property.

Here is a shortlist of items to attend to before your appraisal:

1. Clean your house from top to bottom
2. Remove any personal items, such as family photos
3. Make sure all appliances and fixtures are in good working order
4. Repair any damage to the exterior or interior of your home
5. Landscape your front yard and trim back any overgrown trees or bushes
6. Fix any broken windows or doors
7. Remove any clutter from your home
8. Paint any walls that are in need of a fresh coat

Once the appraiser arrives, they will take a tour of your home and take photos of the interior and exterior. They will also take measurements of the rooms, and take note of any special features or amenities your home has.

After the appraiser has all the information they need, they will compile a report which will be sent to your lender or to you. This report will include the appraiser’s estimate of your property’s value, as well as any factors that may have affected the value.

The appraisal process can be daunting, but by following these steps you can make it go smoothly. And once it’s done, you’ll have a good idea of your home’s value which can help you make important decisions about selling or refinancing.

5. Be prepared to answer questions about your home

The appraiser will likely have a lot of questions about your home, so it’s important to be prepared. They will likely ask about any recent renovations or repairs, the age of your home, the size of your lot, etc.

It’s also a good idea to have any relevant paperwork handy, such as receipts for recent repairs or an appraisal from a previous sale. This will help the appraiser to get an accurate value for your home.

6. Pay the appraisal fee

In Houston, a home appraisal costs between $300 and $450, although the exact fee will depend on the appraiser and the scope of the work.

7. Review the appraiser’s report

Once the appraisal is complete, you will be given a report that includes the appraiser’s estimate of your home’s value. It’s important to review this report carefully to make sure there are no errors. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask him or her for clarification.

8. Get a second opinion (optional)

If you’re not happy with the appraisal report, you can always get a second opinion. However, this will likely cost you an additional fee.

What happens after the appraisal?

Once the appraisal is complete, you will have a good idea of your home’s value. If you plan to sell your home, this will give you an idea of how much to list it for. If you’re refinancing, this will help your lender determine how much money to lend you.

It’s important to remember that a real estate appraisal value is not set in stone. If you think the appraiser has made a mistake, you can always get a second opinion.

And if you’re not happy with the appraised value of your home, there are a few things you can do to try to increase it.

How to get the highest appraisal value

Now that we have gone through the steps to getting your home appraised. Let’s tackle how to get the highest value.

1. Keep your home in good condition

One of the best ways to get a high appraisal value is to keep your home in good condition. This means regular maintenance and repairs, as well as keeping it clean and clutter-free.

2. Make any necessary repairs

If there are any repairs that need to be made, it’s important to do them before the appraiser arrives. We mentioned above some of the items you want to make sure are fixed before you get an appraisal done.

3. Improve your curb appeal

First impressions matter, so it’s important to make sure your home has good curb appeal. This means keeping your lawn trimmed and tidy and perhaps adding some flowers or other plants to spruce things up.

4. Highlight any unique features

If your home has any unique features, be sure to point them out to the appraiser. This could include anything from a custom kitchen to a beautiful view.

5. Provide easy access to areas of your home

The appraiser will need to access all areas of your home, so be sure to provide easy access. This means removing any clutter that might be blocking the way and making sure all doors and windows are unlocked.

Do I need to have my house appraised before refinancing?

You may need to have your home appraised for a number of reasons, but one common reason is refinancing. When you refinance your mortgage, your lender will require an appraisal to ensure that your home is worth at least as much as the amount you’re borrowing.

While you’re not required to get an appraisal when you sell your home, many sellers choose to do so in order to get an accurate idea of their property’s value.

An appraisal can be a helpful tool whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a home.

How to get the most out of your appraisal

Once you’ve gone through the process of getting your home appraised, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your appraisal.

1. Understand the purpose of the real estate appraisal

It’s important to understand why you’re getting an appraisal in the first place. This will help you to know what to expect from the process, and what to do with the results.

2. Choose the right appraiser

If you’re given the choice of which appraiser to use, be sure to choose someone who is experienced and reputable. This will help to ensure that you get an accurate and fair appraisal.

3. Know what the appraiser is looking for

When the appraiser comes to your home, be sure to ask what they are looking for. This will help you to know what areas to focus on, and what kind of information they need from you.

4. Be prepared for the appraisal

Be sure to have all the necessary paperwork and documents ready for the appraiser. This includes things like your mortgage statement, property tax bill, and insurance information.

5. Ask questions

If you have any questions about the real estate appraisal process, be sure to ask the appraiser. They should be able to answer any questions you have and help to put your mind at ease.

Can you be present during an appraisal?

It is not required that you be present during an appraisal, but it can be helpful. If you are present, you can answer any questions the appraiser has, and provide them with any information they need.

You can also ask questions, and get a better understanding of the appraisal process.

Conclusion

An appraisal can be a helpful tool whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a home. It’s important to understand the purpose of the appraisal and to be prepared for it.