Some useful hints to speed your appraisal along from CW alamode

	To appraise a property, an appraiser needs to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To help the appraisal go as smoothly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, 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 agreement for a shared driveway.

• 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.

• Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.

• Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

• A copy of the current listing agreement with broker's data sheet and purchase agreement if a sale is "pending".

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

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

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

Here are a few other helpful recommendations:

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

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds 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 value for your home.

• Maintenance: We generally recommend repairing minor 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, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: having smoke detectors on all levels and especially near bedrooms, removing and touching up where there's paint peeling, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, replacing broken glass.