1. Create curb appeal.

Make your home picture-perfect. Paint the front door, touch up the trim, install flower boxes, and add fresh mulch to the garden.

2. Stage inside and out.

Add that wow factor. Polish the floors, paint the walls, and stage the master bedroom and bathroom.

3. Make updates that pay off.

Invest in low-cost projects that increase value. Replace the front door and windows, and add a fresh coat of paint to the walls.

4. Keep track of improvements.

Take before and after photos. Keep receipts to help quantify your home’s increase in value.

5. Learn what buyers want.

Part of determining how much a home is worth is understanding what homebuyers want, such as stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors.

6. See how it compares.

Visit nearby open houses and review recent home sales. For the highest appraisal estimate, your home should stand out.

What Is a Home Appraisal?

When you sell your home, an appraiser will estimate how much your home is worth in the process of a home appraisal. The size, quality, condition, and presence or absence of key features impact your home’s appraised value.

Size

Your home’s total number of square feet, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and lot size impact its value. Larger homes and lot sizes are appraised for higher values.

Location

Your home’s proximity to grocery stores, public transportation, schools, and restaurants affects your appraisal value. In general, the higher the market value of your location, the higher your appraisal value.

Interior

The quality and condition of interior features — such as flooring, walls, windows, doors, appliances, countertops, fixtures, and plumbing — greatly affect your home’s appraised value. Appraisers look for high-end materials that homebuyers want, such as hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and granite or stone countertops.

Exterior

Your appraiser will assess the exterior of your home, specifically its foundation, roof, and siding. The materials your home is made of will impact your appraisal value. High-quality materials, such as stone or fiber-cement siding, increase your home’s value.

Features

Popular amenities, such as a garage, fireplace, view, yard, or patio increase your home’s value.

Updates

Appraisers review the workmanship, condition, and finishes of home improvements. Updates to the kitchen and bathrooms can have a significant impact on your home’s value. On the other hand, damages, defects, and wear and tear can negatively impact your appraisal estimate.

To find out what your home is worth, drop me a line 👉 Liza@LizaPayne.com or 📲 540-270-8590

*I am not an appraiser, just a licensed Realtor® in the Commonwealth of Virginia