Delaware Home Valuations's appraisal checklist

To appraise a property, an appraiser is legally required to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Just give us a call at 3029338607 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

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

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

  • Information on the latest purchase of the property in 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 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 date of their installation and their cost (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 if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but can be helpful be present to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other recommendations:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very thorough in their inspections. 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 will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can mean a better value for your home.

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

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: In the case of your borrower trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they come. Some things they may recommend might be: installing smoke detectors on every floor of the home and especially near bedrooms, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each receptacle works, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, fixing broken windows or other glass like doors.