Some helpful hints to expedite your appraisal from Carlson Agency LLC

Legally, an appraiser must be licensed by the state to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Just give us a call at 870-427-4036 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 survey or plot map of the property and building (if readily available).

  • Records 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.

  • Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.

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

  • Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and your well.

  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

  • A copy of the current listing agreement with broker's data sheet and purchase agreement if a sale is "pending".

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

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

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany them along on the entire site inspection, but can be helpful be present to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other suggestions:

  • Accessibility: Appraisers are very thorough 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 will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can translate into a higher home value.

  • Maintenance: We often suggest repairing small 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 extra things that should be done before they arrive. Some things they may recommend might be: having a banister on all stairways, where paint is peeling it should be sanded and repainted, eliminating pull-chain lights in areas other than the basement or attic.