What Honolulu Sellers Should Look for in a Home Appraiser

When you think of a Honolulu real estate professional what comes to mind? If you’re like most people you probably thought of a real estate agent or possibly a mortgage lender. And, those are both great answers. However, there are a few other professionals that you will work with in the process, one of them being the Honolulu home appraiser.

You don’t want to overlook the Honolulu home appraiser that you choose. If you are obtaining a mortgage for the property, they play a vital role in helping you accomplish that.  

What does a Honolulu home appraiser do?

A Honolulu home appraiser is responsible for looking at and assessing a home and then attaching a property value to it. They do this by looking at your house and also looking at the numbers for the recently sold homes in your area. When a Honolulu buyer is getting a mortgage, the house has to appraise for a high enough number that it warrants the bank lending the money for the property.

Here’s what you need to know when working with an appraiser:

What the Honolulu home appraiser is looking at

While the appraiser isn’t a home inspector, it might feel a little like they are. When they come to your Honolulu house you want to get your house ready like you were going to be having a showing. You want it to look pristine and have everything in top notch condition.

Be prepared as the appraiser is going to have questions. They are going to want to know things like if your Honolulu house has lead-based paint and if it drains properly around the house. Understanding that all the systems are in good working condition will also be important.

You want to make it as easy as possible for the appraiser. Be friendly, offer assistance if they need it with something, and then stay out of there way while they do their work. Most inspectors won’t be able to tell you anything until they return to their office and get run all the numbers.

They are going to need some details from you

It helps to get all the paperwork ready beforehand that your appraiser is going to need. This includes documents showing the age of the major systems, any permits that you have for work that you have completed on your own, as well as any other document that accompanies major improvements.

Your goal is to provide them with anything they need that will help drive up the value of your Honolulu house.

Be honest

Just like with every other part of the Honolulu home selling process, you need to be honest with the appraiser. Trying to stretch the truth about the size of your house is not going to be in your best interest. Your appraiser will have access to the records and verify the information.

While you want your house to appraise for the number it needs in order for the buyer to obtain their mortgage, lying is not going to help anything.

If you have questions about what to expect when the Honolulu home appraiser shows up at your door then talk to your real estate agent. And don’t be afraid to ask the appraiser questions when they are at your house, either.