You have a contract on your CT home and are ready to sell, now let’s make sure you get what’s coming to you!

The real estate market surrounding the UConn area is really getting into Spring mode and has been heating up (yes, pun intended)!  Meanwhile, once you have your home under deposit, you’re wondering what happens when the all important bank appraiser comes through and determines the value, right?  Do not fear, we have the answers! Here are the top 7 ways to get the most out of your home appraisal…

1. Make Your Home Presentable - Yes, Even for the Home Appraisal

I know, you have been “on” for way too long – you are tired of showings and do not want to get ready for anything else. PLUS you are trying to pack. Lucky you, now you have to get ready to move and pretend you are not………You don’t have to be able to eat off the floors, but seriously… clean the dishes in the sink, and fold the laundry. I know you would never WANT to show your house this way, but, sometimes life gets hectic and leaving things arond the house will not make a great impression.

2. Fix the Broken Stuff in Your House

Yes, you’re selling your entire house so that you don’t have to fix that nagging broken window in the garage, right?  Well, chances are you’re going to have to fix it anyway (especially if the home buyer is financing through FHA or CHFA), and by not having a cracked window or a corner of the house with some peeling paint, you really will get more cash flow and have less headaches if it is already fixed – both before showings and a bank appraisal.

Tom & Elaine Burns

3. Have Your UConn Area Realtor Present

You can’t fool the appraiser and to be honest, I can’t either. Nor do I want to. I just have to tell you – it will not help if you meet him at the door to make sure he knows all about the attributes of your home.  Buuuut…I am a trained and qualified professional who has seen more than their share of home sales - and am better equipped to answer any questions or concerns the appraiser may have. Plus, I work for you…let me earn it.

4. Love What You’ve Done with the Place?

Me too. Usually. If you’ve put in hardwood floors recently, re-sodded the lawn, remodeled the kitchen (that’s a biggie – do as much as you can to the kitchen – I promise – it really does sell a home and help with the appraisal  - or NOT), etc., I will bring that to their attention. You aren’t likely to get every single cent back on the other end, but by bringing your home’s finer points to light, you can easily recoup some of your investment, get the highest value for your home AND sell it in a timely manner. Yes, homes are selling, and you just need to position your CT home to be one of the ones that sells!  We call it being “in” the market as opposed to being “on” the market.

5. Control Your Pets (and/or Kids)

Which may be one and the same, I understand, but, back to the CT real estate appraiser again, the more one has to worry about getting bit, peed on, or licked, the less apt he is to come through with a top dollar appraisal. And that’s just from little Jimmy! Just think about what would happen if Fido got out…….

6. Do Your Job – Not Theirs

Ever had anyone try and tell you your business?  Annoying, right?  So don’t try and tell the appraiser what other homes are going for in your neighborhood. They already know this, and will more than likely discount yours against those prices just because you irritated them. They’re crafty like that.  Again, let us deal with them – some like to talk, others just nod – we take our cue from them.

7. Cooperate

Together, we'll get your CT house SOLD!

There is a stranger in your home, I get it, and again, you are TIRED of having strangers in your home.  But it’s for your own good.  Be courteous and helpful- trust me, your home is judged by its merits…and it’s occupants. Unfortunate, but true.

So, a few tips – really it is all about helping someone else do their job really, really well –  and in this case – for your future - you WANT them to do it really, really well. Don’t make it hard for them -  make it as pleasant and as easy as possible.  Real estate appraisers go in and out of a lot of homes every day – they can work hard for you or they might just figure you don’t care and the house needs a LOT of work – for this last stage of selling, you are still “on stage” -  so………..let’s sell the house!!!