If the thought of a home appraisal makes you break out in hives when you're negotiating the sale of your home, join the club. You want the appraiser to confirm that your home is indeed worth what you're asking. If the appraisal doesn't match the asking price, the buyer and the seller may have trouble making a deal.

While preparing for a home appraisal can be a stressful undertaking, organizing your preparations can help ensure the home appraiser views your property favorably. Here are some tips for getting ready to have your home appraised when you list it among Beavercreek homes for sale.

1. Think like an appraiser.
   Your home's appraiser is going to look at your home with a critical eye. You need to develop that capacity too. Look for flaws: leaky faucets; lights not working; doors that don't open and close properly; running toilets; nail pops; and cracks in the walls. You get the picture. Anything that would give you pause while appraising a home you want to buy — get it fixed.
   
   
2. Tackle small maintenance projects.
   We're not talking major redos like finishing out the basement or attic, but rather maintenance upgrades: cleaning gutters; painting the walls; or adding some color and developing some curb appeal out front (make a note to clean up and spruce up the front lawn and entryway). By the way, you're better off hiring a licensed professional for plumbing and electrical work, so you can show the receipts. That way, an appraiser will see the job was done professionally and, if need be, licensed properly.
   
   
3. Create a highlight sheet.
   This document will show at a glance all the upgrades you've made, whether it be a new roof, a new HVAC system,  plumbing and electrical upgrades, a new garage door opener, or similar projects. Be sure you have the date, who did the work, and whether or not a permit was obtained. Listing a licensed professional technician who did the work is all to the good. (Avoid those upgrades you may have had done without proper permitting.) Focus on smaller projects rather than major ones, such as renovating a kitchen or adding a bathroom. The small projects, along with the documentation, prove that you've taken care of the property.
   
   
4. Get rid of clutter.
   You've heard the saying, "Less is more." Renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe might have been talking about decluttering a home for a potential sale when he uttered those words. When your home is shown to potential buyers, you want them to be able to picture their lives — and their furnishings — in your home. They can't do that when there's just too much of your life distracting them. Get rid of all the piles — books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, clothing, and then stow away the knickknacks, personal photographs, souvenirs, and the like. Also, if you can, store some superfluous pieces of furniture — chairs and side tables, book shelves, and the like — so the house feels open and uncrowded.
   
   
5. Clean up, inside and out.
   After you're finished with repairs and minor upgrades, and after you've decluttered, you're ready to clean. It wouldn't be amiss if you hired a professional cleaner to do a deep cleaning in preparation of showing the home. Once your home is spic and span, keep cleaning as needed prior to showings. Likewise, clean up the exterior of the property, raking leaves, picking up toys and tools, trimming hedges, and keeping the grass mowed. Add some flowers or potted plants on the porch.

Our REALTORS® can advise you on getting your home ready for an appraisal. Contact Wright-Patt Realty today.