[MinuteGal]

Too many house sellers think their home is worth more than the appraisal because they've done a lot of redecorating and remodeling. This work will probably help sell the house and help determine a selling price, but fixing-up rarely factors into professional appraisals.

I've found that appraisors rely primarily on a printout of consumated selling prices of comparable homes or condos within certain miles of the place for sale. Since some houses and condos are practically given away, it lowers the average neighborhood selling prices.

There's a few other factors, of course, like square footage, etc. but painting, new appliances etal. will rarely raise the appraisal amount.

Folks shouldn't tear their hair out when they get an appraisal lower than they think it should be. It provides a base to work from. A nicely-decorated, clean house in a good neighborhood will generally sell for over the appraisal amount.

Leni

[org.whodat]

I've found that appraisors rely primarily on a printout of consumated selling prices of comparable homes or condos within certain miles of the place for sale.

That part and the actual condition of the property and what is around the property, IE; the magic word, location.