Sanborn Appraisal Services, LLC's appraisal checklist

By law, the borrower is are entitled to obtain a copy of the final appraisal report from the lender. Just give us a call at 7157230272 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 plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

  • Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.

  • Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.

  • 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 describes encroachments or easements.

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

  • Any 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 energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

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

  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

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

When the appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be present to answer questions about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are a few other recommendations:

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

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

  • Maintenance: We often recommend fixing 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: installing smoke detectors on all levels and especially near bedrooms, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each outlet functions, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.