Some great tips to save you time on your appraisal from J.S. Appraisals, Inc.

	To appraise a property, an appraiser is legally required to be licensed by the state when it's a federally related transaction. Contact us 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 survey or plot map of the property and building (if readily available).

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

• Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.

• A list of any personal property that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer.

• Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements 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 insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

• Locate copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.

• Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or 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 you should be available to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other helpful recommendations:

• Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. You should make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see quite a few of homes a year and are no strangers to clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a better home value.

• Maintenance: We generally recommend repairing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for either an FHA or VA loan, we strongly recommend to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: putting smoke detectors on all levels and especially near bedrooms, where paint is peeling it should be sanded and repainted, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, replacing broken glass.