Preparing for an appraisal from Elite Real Estate Appraisals, LLC

	Legally, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To speed up the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

• A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).

• Information on the latest purchase of the property in 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.

• Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements 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, septic systems and your well.

• Brag sheet that lists 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).

• Find 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 covenants or fees.

• A list of "proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort them along on the entire site inspection, but is usually helpful be available to answer inquiries about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are a few other suggestions:

• Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see many of homes a year and aren't surprised at seeing a bit of clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a higher home value.

• Maintenance: We generally recommend repairing small things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: In the case of your borrower trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, definitely ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they come. Some items they may recommend might be: having smoke detectors on all levels and especially near bedrooms, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each outlet works, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.