Some useful tips to speed your appraisal along from Joseph Mier & Associates


	Did you know you, as a borrower, are entitled to receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from the lender? Just give us a call at (985) 230-0730 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

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

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (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.
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.
Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.
Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and your well.
A list of any 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).
Find 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 when the property is being appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort him or her along on the entire site inspection, but generally you'll want to 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 a lot of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can translate into a higher home value.
Maintenance: We generally recommend repairing 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: having a banister on all stairways, where paint is peeling it should be scraped and repainted, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.