When to get appraisal during refinance of BRRRR

[Jake Silverman]

I bought a property in South Bend, Indiana and will be closing on it July 27. I will start rehabbing it shortly after close and it is expected to take 3 weeks. Every lender I have spoken to requires 6 month seasoning period. I assume the property will look the best for an appraisal right after the rehab is complete but of course I will be renting it out for the 6 months until I refinance. Does anyone have any tips on how to handle the appraisal while a tenant is living in the property. I want to be able to get the best ARV so if that means paying for cleaning and stuff I am willing to do that. Looking for strategies to handle that appraisal while also knowing it might happen in the winter so my landscaping might go unnoticed.