Preparing for an appraisal from Empire Inspections & Appraisals

	To appraise a property, an appraiser is required to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Just give us a call at 845.774.8207 or email us at orders@empireinspectionsandappraisals.com if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To simplify the appraisal process, it's recommended to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

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

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

• Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.

• List of personal property to be sold with the building.

• Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.

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

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

• Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

• Locate copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.

• Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

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

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to escort him or her 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 some other helpful recommendations:

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

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see a lot of homes a year and are no strangers to clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a higher home value.

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

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: In the case of your borrower applying for either an FHA or VA loan, definitely ask your appraiser if there are extra things that should be done before they come. Some things they may recommend might be: having smoke detectors on every floor of the home and especially near bedrooms, removing and repainting where there's paint peeling, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, fixing broken windows or other glass like doors.