Some nice tips to save you time on your appraisal from Belles Appraisal Service, LLC

	By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Just give us a call at 970-842-0334 if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To help the appraisal go as smoothly as possible we generally recommend to have these documents, if available, ready for the appraiser:

• A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if available).

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

• Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement 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.

• Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.

• A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

• Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and wells.

• Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

• A copy of the current listing agreement with broker's data sheet and purchase agreement if a sale is "pending".

• Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees.

• A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to escort him or her along on the entire site inspection, but it's helpful be present to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are some other recommendations:

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

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see a lot of homes a year and aren't surprised at seeing a bit of clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can mean a higher value for your home.

• 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, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they come. Some things they may recommend might be: installing a banister on all stairways, scraping and touching up where there's paint peeling, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, fixing broken windows or other glass like doors.