Preparing For A Home Appraisal Inspection

by

Preparing For A Home Appraisal Inspection

Stone Bridge Mortgage Group_Preparing For An Appraisal Inspection

 

Preparing Your Gresham Home for an Appraisal Inspection

When you’re ready to have the value of your Gresham home appraised, you’ll want to prepare before inviting an appraiser into your home. An appraiser will examine your property on an objective basis and determine its market value. This value will be based on such factors as the condition of the property, the functionality of utilities, where the house is geographically located, and so on. Gresham homeowners can affect the overall value of their property by addressing any issues or problems they notice with the property before getting an inspection for a home appraisal.

Remember that the appraiser is a guest in your home. You want to put your best foot forward and present your Gresham home in the best light possible.

Make Sure the Property Is Open and Accessible

Clean any areas relevant to the appraiser’s inspection. They should have easy access to the areas of the home they need to inspect. Additionally, make sure your Gresham home looks presentable. First impressions are everything, so treat your appraiser like a guest and make your home look clean and inviting.

Beautify Your Home with Small Cosmetic Changes

Touching up paint or replacing outdated furniture can boost the appraiser’s impression of your Gresham home. Everyday wear and tear on furniture can make it seem poorly kept, which will lower the appraiser’s opinion of your home. The more up-to-date your home seems, the better.

Update Technology

Your Gresham home will seem more practical and efficient with up-to-date technology. This puts less wear-and-tear on the property as opposed to relying on 50-year old furnaces and refrigerators that are not as energy-efficient as their contemporary equivalents.

Make a List of Small Necessary Repairs

To keep track of all the small repairs that need doing, make yourself a list. It can be easy to overlook a broken window, faulty doorbell, or chipped paint. Go through your home and make a list so you remember each item before inviting an appraiser into your Gresham home.

Update the Landscaping

Replace dead plants and grass. Trim the hedges and mow the lawn. Not only will this look good to an appraiser, but it will boost the curb appeal of your Gresham home.

Check On Utilities

It’s important to make sure that all the utilities like gas, water, and electricity are functioning properly before the appraiser checks them out for him or herself, along with any carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Checking on these utilities is not only a necessary step towards preparing for an appraisal,  it is also a matter of safety, so it should always be a priority.

Stonebridge Mortgage Group Offers Guidance On All Mortgage Matters

For professional assistance with mortgages and related services, look no further than Stonebridge Mortgage Group. You can rely on Stonebridge Mortgage Group to help guide you through the home buying process. We help get you pre-approved for a mortgage and help with your real estate loans and other mortgage solutions, both residential and commercial. Stonebridge Mortgage Group serves the greater Portland area and is located in Gresham, Oregon. Don’t wait to get quality assistance with buying your home!

 

Call us today at 503.661.5580

 

4 Appliances to Check Before Buying a House

by

4 Appliances to Check Before Buying a House

Stone Bridge Mortgage Group_4 Appliances to Check Before Buying a House

When you’ve found a home that seems perfect, it’s still wise to do some double checking before finalizing any offers. Buying a home will be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. You don’t want to find you need to replace something important and expensive right after you purchase your new home. Take the opportunity to look over the home’s appliances before a making a full commitment.

The most important appliances to check are the following:

Refrigerator

This appliance should be one of the first you check. You want to be sure that both the fridge and freezer are cooling properly. You don’t want to belatedly find out that your refrigerator isn’t keeping your perishables fresh. Do you see any rust inside? That could indicate a moisture problem. Also, are the seals and gaskets in good condition and do they seal properly?

Range

Whether it’s gas or electric, you must check the range. Make sure all the heating elements work – the burners, the oven, and the broiler. You’ll want to be especially thorough with a gas range, as it presents more complications and safety concerns. For any oven, though, check every detail – from if the timer works to if it seals properly.

Dishwasher

The dishwasher is the appliance that will take longest to check, so it is one of the first things you should do upon entering a new home. When opening the door, be sure it doesn’t drop open too quickly. This could indicate a with the door’s spring. Like with the fridge, check for rust or corrosion. While in the home, you’ll want to run a test cycle. While it runs, check for leaks under the floor or the sink. Choose a cycle that allows you to test the heating element. You should see a stream of steam should come out of the dishwater once the cycle is over. Once the door is open, check that the unit is free of extra water. If there’s water left, the pump is likely malfunctioning.

Washer and Dryer

Like with the dishwasher, do a test run of both of these machines. You need to make sure they function properly. With the dryer in particular, you want to make sure there are no potential fire hazards. Is there an excess of lint in the machine? When it’s running, poke your head outside to check that the exhaust fan works properly.

While some home inspectors will check some appliances, they often focus more on more major systems like the air conditioner and furnace. Conducting your own inspection is recommended. Keep in mind, though, that even you thoroughly check the appliances, there is no way to gauge the life left on them. Be prepared for possible repairs and appliance replacements.

Count on Stonebridge Mortgage Group for all your mortgage needs.

For professional assistance with mortgages, look no further than Stonebridge Mortgage Group. You can rely on Stonebridge Mortgage Group to help guide you through the home buying process. If you’re ready to apply for a loan and want to go through the process online, Stonebridge Mortgage Group offers online applications. We also help get you pre-approved for a mortgage and help with your real estate loans and other mortgage solutions, both residential and commercial. Stonebridge Mortgage Group serves the greater Portland area and are in Gresham, Oregon. Don’t wait to get quality assistance with buying your home!

 

Call us today at 503.661.5580