Canopy Roads Appraisal, LLC's appraisal checklist

Legally, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to OTS, FDIC, etc.... Just give us a call at 8505108523 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To speed the appraisal process along as quickly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, ready for the appraiser:

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

  • Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.

  • Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.

  • List of personal property to be sold with the building.

  • Title policy that describes 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, your septic system and wells.

  • 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).

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

  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

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

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort them 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 tips:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very thorough in their inspections. We recommend that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

  • Housekeeping: Appraisers see a lot 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 higher home value.

  • 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, definitely ask your appraiser if there are extra things that should be done before they come. Some things they may recommend might be: having handrails on all stairways, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each outlet works, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, fixing broken windows or other glass like doors.