profile picture

English French Spanish

Tradewinds Appraisals, LLC's appraisal to-do list

Legally, an appraiser must be licensed by the state to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to OTS, FDIC, etc.... Just give us a call at (409) 750-3180 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

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

  • A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

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

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

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

  • Title policy that describes 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 wells.

  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of energy efficiency upgrades 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.

  • Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees.

  • A list of "proposed" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

When the appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but it's helpful be present to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are a few other suggestions:

  • 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 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 translate into a better home value.

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

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, we strongly recommend to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: installing a banister on all stairways, removing and touching up where there's paint peeling, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.