Appraisal Ethics

To facilitate 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 readily 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 home
• Title policy that describes 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 central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available)
• A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
• Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
• A list of "Proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "As Complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be available to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements. 

Here are some other suggestions:

• Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible.
• Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter.
• Maintenance: Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.
• Pets: Please secure pets, so they do not scratch the appraiser's vehicle or jump on the appraiser.
• Access:  Please inform the appraiser if getting to the house may be difficult.  This is often the case when there has been snow/ice or when the house is under construction and there is excessive mud.