KNOWLEDGE BASE
Knowledge Base: How to Prepare for a Real Estate Appraisal
Whether you are refinancing, selling, or buying a home in Scottsdale, knowing what to expect from a real estate appraisal helps the process move faster and more smoothly. This guide walks homeowners, agents, and lenders through how to prepare for an appraisal and what a certified appraiser looks for during the inspection.
A residential appraiser provides an independent opinion of market value that lenders, buyers, sellers, and attorneys rely on to make confident decisions. The more organized your documentation, the more efficient the appraisal report becomes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Homeowners Ask Before an Appraisal
Below are the most common questions we receive about preparing for an appraisal, what information to gather, and how the process works from inspection to final report.
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Who is qualified to perform my appraisal?
To prepare an appraisal report for federally related transactions, the appraiser must be state licensed or certified. Working with a certified appraiser ensures the valuation meets lender, legal, and regulatory standards. Our team holds the credentials required for mortgage, divorce, estate, and investment property appraisals across the Phoenix metro area.
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Can the appraiser share the report directly with me?
By law, if your appraisal is part of a mortgage transaction, you receive a copy of the completed report from your lender, not the appraiser. The appraiser cannot disclose value or deliver the report directly to the borrower. For private appraisals such as pre-listing, divorce, or estate work, the report goes directly to the client who ordered it.
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What documents should I gather before the inspection?
Helpful items include a plot plan or survey, title policy noting easements, written agreements (like shared driveway maintenance), utility details (well, septic, gas), home inspection or termite reports, and a list of major upgrades with dates and costs. If the property is listed or under contract, share the MLS sheet and purchase agreement.
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What if I disagree with the appraised value?
You can request a reconsideration of value through your lender. Bring solid supporting facts such as additional comparable sales the appraiser may not have considered, documentation of recent renovations, or corrections to property data. Emotional appeals will not change a value; documented market evidence might.
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Do I need to be home during the inspection?
Someone needs to provide access, but you do not have to follow the appraiser through every room. The best approach is to answer questions up front, point out improvements or unique features, then let the appraiser work. Plan on 30 to 60 minutes for a typical single-family home inspection.
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How should I prepare the home itself?
Make sure every area is accessible, especially the attic, crawl space, and any locked rooms. Repair small issues like leaky faucets, missing trim, or broken door handles. Clean and declutter for a strong first impression. For FHA or VA loans, confirm working smoke detectors, secure handrails, and no peeling paint.
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What features add value beyond square footage?
Beneficial features include location in a gated community, mountain or golf course views, waterfront access, recent additions, energy upgrades, and quality finishes. Provide a written list with installation years and costs. Accurate gross living area measurement and documented upgrades give the appraiser stronger comparables to work with.
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What if I have a manufactured home?
Point out the HUD certificate and paper certificate location, usually under the kitchen sink or inside a closet. Each section of the home has a metal data plate with an identification number. If any of these have been painted over, clean them so the numbers are clearly visible before the appraiser arrives.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Order Your Appraisal With Confidence
From mortgage and pre-listing appraisals to divorce, estate, PMI removal, and investment property valuations, our certified appraiser team delivers accurate reports with fast turnaround across Scottsdale and the surrounding Phoenix metro area. Appointments are typically set within 4 to 6 hours of contact.