How to Get a Good Refinance Appraisal for Your Home

If you want to change your home loan, you will need a refinance appraisal. This is when a person who knows a lot about homes tells you how much your home is worth. They look at other homes that sold recently, check your home and use their skills to decide.

A refinance appraisal is important for two reasons:

- It protects the lender by making sure they are not lending you more money than your home is worth. If you stop paying your loan, the lender can sell your home and get their money back.
- It helps you get a lower interest rate or a higher loan amount, depending on your equity and goals. Changing your loan can help you save money, pay off your loan faster, or get cash for other things.
At Residential Appraisal and Valuation Services, we can help you with your refinance appraisal needs. We have a team of people who are good at appraising homes. They can tell you how much any home is worth. Whether you are changing your loan for any reason, we can help you with:
- Making an appointment with you to look at your home inside and outside
- Driving around the area and looking at other homes that sold recently
- Looking at data and other things that affect your home’s value
- Writing a report of what we found and sharing it with you and your lender
- Asking for a fair fee for our services, which depends on your home’s size, type and place
We are committed to giving you good appraisals that meet the rules of the industry and your needs. We are also dedicated to giving our appraisals fast, usually within 48 hours after looking at the home.

Tips to Prepare for a Refinance Appraisal

To increase the chances of a high refinance appraisal, you can take some steps to prepare your home before the appraiser’s visit. Here are some tips to follow:

Clean and organize your home. A clean and neat home will make a good impression on the appraiser and show that you take care of your property.
Fix any problems and make some improvements. Fix any things that are broken or damaged, such as leaky faucets, cracked windows, peeling paint, or broken appliances. Make some changes that make your home look better, such as lighting fixtures, hardware, or flooring.
Show any hidden features or upgrades. If you have made any big improvements to your home since buying it, such as adding a room, remodeling a kitchen, or installing solar panels, make sure to tell them to the appraiser and show them any papers or permits if possible.
Make your home look nice from outside. The outside of your home is the first thing the appraiser will see, so make sure it looks inviting and well-maintained. Cut the grass, trim the bushes, weed the garden, sweep the driveway, and paint the front door.

How to Appeal a Low Refinance Appraisal

If you are not happy with the result of your refinance appraisal, you can appeal it by showing evidence that the value is too low. You can do this by:

Checking the appraisal report for any mistakes or missing information. Check if the appraiser used correct information about your home’s size, condition, features, and location. Also check if they used recent and similar sales in your area.
Finding more sales that support a higher value. Look for homes that are like yours in size, style, condition, features, and location that sold recently for more than what the appraiser used. You can use online sources such as Zillow or Realtor.com or ask a real estate agent for help.
Sending a written request for reconsideration to your lender. Explain why you think the appraisal is too low and provide any papers or data that back up your claim. Be polite and respectful in your message.

Contact Us Today

If you need a trusted and professional refinance appraisal service, contact Residential Appraisal and Valuation Services today!

We would love to work with you.