The appraisal can be a stressful process and may threaten to derail transactions. Twenty-one percent of REALTORS® say “appraisal issues” delayed their sales contracts in October, according to the most recent REALTORS® Confidence Index. Appraisal issues led to 13% of contracts being terminated. The appraiser evaluates the home’s lot size, condition (both inside and out), foundation, neighborhood, and any other amenities that add or decrease value.
Real estate professionals should prepare their sellers for the appraiser’s visit. Advise your clients to do a deep cleaning inside and outside the home, touch up paint, fix any minor maintenance issues, and have relevant paperwork—such as details about the home and comps—ready to hand over to the appraiser.
Appraisals can come in below a property’s sale price for several reasons. For example, buyers in competitive markets may have driven up a home's sale price in a bidding war, or an appraiser may find a property defect. Perhaps an addition to the house didn’t have a construction permit, which the appraiser would label as “cost to cure,” according to an article from HomeLight.