Does a messy house affect refinance appraisal? (2024)

Does a messy house affect refinance appraisal?

A professional is trained to look beyond any clutter in the home to assess the true property value. Although a messy house does not affect the appraisal, it's still a good idea to tidy up any clothing, toys or other personal belongings that could be in their way.

Do appraisers care if your house is messy?

What kinds of mess can affect a home's appraisal? Appraisers are trained to overlook clutter. Stray clothes, scattered toys, unwashed dishes, unmade beds, disorganized closets, and other items that suggest you actually live in your house should not affect an appraisal if they don't affect its structural integrity.

Do appraisers care about cleanliness?

Only the material elements of the home and property are appraised, not its cleanliness or attractiveness. Material elements include the home's location, lot size, interior square footage, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. Identical homes, one clean the other unclean, should appraise for the same value.

How clean does my house need to be for a refinance appraisal?

Your appraiser will likely want to view your home's interior and exterior, so make sure to clean up both the yard and the inside. Even something as simple as dusting and cleaning up clutter can make your home look more appealing.

Does dirty carpet affect appraisal?

For example, a messy house that has dishes in the sink and clothes on the floor shouldn't affect the appraised value. However, if the house is dirty to the point where odors permeate throughout each room and the carpet is so dirty it needs to be replaced, then the value will go down.

Is it important to clean your house before an appraisal?

Most importantly, a well maintained and clean home gives the appraiser the impression that you care for your home and upkeep it properly. Dirty windows, scuffed floors, and unclean sinks and toilets are turn offs and could draw attention away from the real items and areas of value in your home appraisal.

What should you not tell an appraiser?

Do appraisers look in showers?

Similar to kitchens, bathrooms are inspected for quality, condition and materials. An appraiser looks at whether it's a full or half bath, whether it has a decent shower, updated lighting, quality counters and looks for signs of mold.

What should I clean for an appraisal?

Store appliances in cabinets, and make sure dishes are clean and put away on the day of your appraisal. You may also want to consider touching up backsplashes, paint or wallpaper if needed. Living rooms often suffer from a lack of good lighting and proper use of the space.

Will an appraiser look in my closets?

Appraisers do look in closets to determine the total square footage of the property. This doesn't mean every single inch of your house has to be in tip-top shape for the appraisal, but the interior of the home should be clean and free of clutter, and this includes closets, under sinks, and in the attic.

Do refinance appraisers go inside the house?

A full appraisal will require a home visit. When it comes to a refinance appraisal, you have the option to attend the appraisal if you want. The appraiser will conduct a thorough inspection of the home's exterior and interior to judge the condition of the property and make note of its size and features.

What if my refinance appraisal came in low?

A low appraisal doesn't mean that the lender won't give you a loan, it just means that you can't borrow more than the appraisal indicates the home is worth. You can pay the difference between the appraisal and the sale price at closing if you really want the property.

What hurts you for an appraisal?

There are many things that can hurt a home appraisal, such as owning a unique home and having outdated appliances, home systems and other structural issues. Anything in a home that is old, outdated or not functioning properly can directly impact the home appraisal and the overall value of the home.

Does a messy garage affect appraisal?

Remove Clutter

Remember, an ordinary amount of clutter in the closets or in your garage is not a big deal. It is only a concern when it limits the appraisers ability to get in and out of a room or if they cannot access the entire room. Closets and other storage areas should be fine.

Does yard affect appraisal?

The curb appeal and general landscaping of the home also impacts the home appraisal value. If your home lacks curb appeal it could lower the value of the home. On the other hand if your yard is filled with hard to care for plants and a hazardous dead tree this could also negatively affect your home appraisal value.

Do appraisers look at clutter?

A cluttered or messy home does not necessarily affect a home's value. Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter. However, an abnormally filthy, messy home may indicate a home isn't being well taken care of and may signal underlying problems caused by a lack of care and maintenance.

What should seller do before appraisal?

Inspect your home with an unbiased eye before the Appraiser's visit. Look for anything alarming and address it immediately. Appraisal inspections are not home inspections. Appraisers do not assess the home's functionality and working condition; however, they are the lender's eyes and ears.

How a seller can prepare for an appraisal?

Preparing for a Home Appraisal

Sellers ensure the property is in the best condition for appraisal by: Cleaning the interior and exterior of the house and removing any clutter. Checking that all safety equipment and mechanical devices are working such as carbon monoxide detectors and garage door openers.

How strict are appraisals?

Appraised value is not a concrete number.

Appraisers follow a strict standard for their work and provide a professional opinion of value—but valuing property isn't an exact science. A change in a home's condition, the appraiser doing the work, or market conditions can all alter the appraised value.

Should I be worried about appraisal?

A low appraisal might delay or even derail your closing. While this might sound alarming, it's important to keep in mind that your real estate agent can help you manage the appraisal process and keep your sale or purchase on track to closing.

Do home appraisals usually come in high?

“You can't always avoid [a low appraisal],” says Megan Walters, a top-rated agent who sells homes more than 41% faster than the average agent in her Columbia, Missouri, market. Most appraisals come in at the right price. According to CoreLogic, in general, appraisals come in below contract only about 7-9% of the time.

What happens during an appraisal for a refinance?

A refinance appraisal is essentially the same type of evaluation. During this process, an appraiser will conduct a physical walk-through of your home, as well as research into other nearby properties that are comparable in size and condition.

Do appraisers look in the attic?

Attic Observation Requirements

The Appraiser must observe the interiors of all attic spaces. The Appraiser is not required to disturb insulation, move personal items, furniture, equipment or debris that obstructs access or visibility.

Does furniture affect appraisal?

The standard, professional answer is, of course: “No, it won't affect value.

Will an appraiser go in every room?

An appraiser visits your home for about 30 minutes to a few hours to measure its dimensions, examine amenities, and evaluate the overall condition both inside and out, taking photos of the exterior, the garage, and every interior room.