Regardless of which side of the transaction you’re on, a home appraisal is crucial to the homebuying and home-selling process. Even if you’re interested in refinancing your home, a home inspection will be required.
With that in mind, let’s dive into what a typical home inspection looks like and what common home features an appraiser will examine during the appraisal!
Exterior Features
- The age of the property
- Property size
- The condition of the driveway
- The state of utilities
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- HVAC unit
- Sewer/septic tank
- Energy-efficiency
- Outdoor amenities, such as a pool, deck, or porch
In addition to inspecting these elements in the exterior of the property, appraisers will also compare the home’s condition to others in the neighborhood. Some of these features include the foundation, windows, any exterior walls, the front yard and backyard, and the roof!
Interior Features
- Number of rooms, broken down into bedrooms and bathrooms
- Type and condition of materials used on floors, walls, and doors
- Type and condition of appliances:
- Stove
- Oven
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- Any extra amenities, such as fireplaces
- Style of the home
- Type of decor
- The overall state of the home
- Any renovations or improvement projects
The Surrounding Neighborhood
A home inspection is not always solely on the home. Understanding the outlying areas and the neighborhood itself is a big part of a home appraiser’s job. Many of the features they look for in the neighborhood include:
- The location and whether it is rural, urban, or suburban
- The condition of the streets
- The number of properties sold
- The local housing market
- Proximity to amenities:
- Schools
- Shopping centers
- Public transportation
- Proximity to undesirables:
- Landfills
- Power plants
- High traffic areas
While a home inspection generally focuses on the size and overall condition of the property, there are many features that home appraisers will look for. Being prepared for these inspections ahead of time will greatly help the process along! Contact HomeGate Realty to learn more about buying and selling a home!
