As I mentioned last month, I’m having my condo appraised as part of my refinancing application. While I’ve taken great care to ensure that my home consistently remains tidy & clean, there are a few extra projects I’ve thrown into the mix in recent weeks in an effort to present it in the best way possible to the appraiser.

Considering that when I bought my place back in 2010 it was a beat up, blank foreclosure canvas, it’s pretty remarkable how much I’ve changed/updated/upgraded. Regardless of what the value of my home comes back at, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made with my DIY adventures, and I’m grateful for this final reason/push to get even more projects finished. Here’s a run-down of my efforts to boost the appraisal appeal (and their associated costs where applicable):

1. I’m preparing my home as if I were selling it. This is by far the easiest part of the checklist because I’m pretty much always anti-clutter. I just need to do a final deep clean of the floors and the place is good to go. I’ll also turn on all of the lights despite having a daytime appraisal as I’ve read that helps to create a better welcome for the appraisal (random but it’s a simple thing to do!).
2. I took care of all outstanding maintenance issues. While an appraiser isn’t going to note every little thing that’s broken, it makes sense to take care of anything that is clearly visible as that can cause a negative reaction for him or her. In my home, it meant the following:
   1. Removing/replacing all caulking in guest bathroom ($15 for caulking)
   2. Repairing a broken window slider in the living room ($9 for new kit)
   3. Sealing cracked tile grout in the master bathroom  ($4.97 for a bag of grout)
   4. Replacing a broken mini blind in the living room ($2.97 for new blind)
   5. Replacing a cracked switch plate in kitchen (47 cents)
   6. Spackling/painting over a crack in kitchen wall ($6.88 for spackle; already had paint)
   7. Re-painting door for master bathroom ($0–already had paint)
   8. Cover scratches on wood floors throughout condo ($4.97 for wood markers)
3. I’ve updated & upgraded. In general, you should spend the least amount possible to upgrade outdated fixtures, etc. prior to your appraisal. Because I’m not trying to sell my home, I spent a bit more on my enhancements:
   1. Added crown molding to both bathrooms, master bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, and hall (~$650–I’ve done it all myself so this is for the wood, nail gun, nails, paint, and level that I purchased. I already owned a compound mitre saw…wahoo!)
   2. I’ve also done the following since purchasing my home:
      1. Painted all rooms because when I moved in everything was light gray ($465 for primer, paint, and supplies)
      2. Refinished my bedroom furniture ($16.99 for a can of stain, a can of wood stripper, and a paintbrush)
      3. Re-sealed my granite countertops ($29.99 for sealant kit)
      4. Installed new carbon monoxide, smoke, and water leak detectors (~$100)
      5. Repaired the garbage disposal ($5.97 for a hex key set)
      6. Replaced 2 broken window screens ($16 for screen)
      7. Patched holes and re-glazed basement walls ($0–condo association paid for this; I did the work)
4. I stepped up the curb appeal. Despite it being winter and the obvious lack of lush, green landscaping, I’ve cleaned up any random trash in the yard (joys of living in the city!), reorganized our trash/recycling bins, and swept the sidewalks.
5. I’ve done my homework. I’ve created a full list of upgrades to give to the appraiser that also includes the dates of major repairs such as adding new gutters, shingle repair to the exterior, concrete walkway demolition and a furnace. I’ve also researched the comparable properties in the area on Zillow, and I’ve printed out a few that are similar in size/location/bedrooms/bathrooms that sold for a price that is in-line with my anticipated property value. I’m fully prepared to provide concrete evidence to support why I believe my home should be valued higher than those selling at deeper discounts. Even though the appraiser conducts their own independent analysis, don’t discount this opportunity to sell your place!

While the jury is still out as to exactly how much value these things add, there’s no doubt that they enhance the visual appeal of your home and do have a positive impact on your appraisal. Hopefully, my hard work will pay off with a great appraisal on Monday. Wish me luck!