How do you prepare for an appraisal?

[Josh Vernon]

Hello, does anybody have experience prepping a property to maximize the amount it will appraise for?  If so, what techniques did you use?

This would be done in the case of doing a cash out re-financing, or increasing the appraised value to get rid of PMI early.

[Chris Mason]

Originally posted by @Josh Vernon:

Hello, does anybody have experience prepping a property to maximize the amount it will appraise for?  If so, what techniques did you use?

This would be done in the case of doing a cash out re-financing, or increasing the appraised value to get rid of PMI early.

 - Clean it like you have company coming over, which you do.

- Make sure there are no underway "projects." 

- Hand comps over.

- 3-4 months out: start going to future-comp open houses and get the disclosure packages from listing agents. Boom, now you know everything wrong with your comps that might explain why they went for less than yours. Share this paperwork, as needed, with the appraiser for the ones that have actually closed by the date of your appraisal.