Preparing For A Home Appraisal Inspection

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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Touching up paint or replacing outdated furniture can boost the appraiser’s impression of your Gresham home.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

 

Home Appraisals and Inspections

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Home Appraisals and Inspections

 

Stone_Bridge_Mortgage_Home Appraisals and Inspections

If you’ve begun looking for your first home, you’ve likely heard of a getting a home appraisal and home inspection. What exactly are home appraisals and home inspections, though? Is there a difference between the two? Are they really necessary?

Home Appraisals

A home appraisal determines the value of a house based on certain factors, including “comparables.” An appraiser will take a few things into consideration when deciding the market value of a home. For example, they often look at comparable homes in the area which have recently sold and certain amenities in the house. It is important to remember that an appraisal doesn’t decide the “worth” of the home, but the market value.

The appraisal helps determine how much money your lender will give you to buy the house. Having the home appraised is therefore necessary when seeking out a loan. If you’re selling a home, it’s more beneficial to you if the appraisal is high. When you’re buying, however, a low appraisal is better. Appraisals can differ from one appraiser to the next, but they’re usually closely based on the assessment of the above-mentioned factors.

Home Inspections

Home inspections involve an inspection of the house itself, focusing on things like structural issues. Generally, home inspections include a look at the roof, the heating and cooling system, plumbing systems, and electrical systems. While home inspections are not exhaustive and therefore may not uncover every possible issue, home inspections are still a very important step in the home buying process.

Some mortgage programs may require specific inspections. However, generally speaking, home inspections are not a hard requirement for every mortgage option. Still, it is best to choose to have a home inspection done anyway. Buying a home without inspections could potentially leave you open for some major issues. It’s better to spend the money on an inspection that could save you more costly expenses down the road.

Count on Stonebridge Mortgage Group for all your mortgage needs.

In addition to appraisals and inspections, there are a lot of ins and outs to familiarize yourself with over the course of the home buying process. 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

 

The Importance of Finding The Best Inspectors

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The Importance of Finding The Best Inspectors

Stone_Bridge_Mortgage_The Importance of Finding The Best Inspectors

Those on the precipice of purchasing their first home may find themselves buried in the sea of reports from independent and/or city inspectors. It’s not unheard of that these inspectors are provided by the seller with no input from the buyer. More often than not, this does not present an issue, however, there are many reasons to be involved in the vetting of each inspector called to your potential new home. Use these few tips to help you find a meticulous home inspector that will ensure your investment is the right one.

Tips For Finding A Home Inspector

Talk to more than one inspector. Even if you have a great feeling about the first home inspector you meet with, meet with one or two more just to justify those initial good feelings.

Solicit recommendations. chances are, you have a friend or two that have been in your exact position. Ask them who they chose and why. You may find the best inspector on the endorsement of a good friend or colleague.

Shop for an inspector before you find your dream home. Having an inspector already vetted will save you time and effort during escrow and will save you from succumbing to pressure to choose the first available professional when it comes time for the inspections to take place.

Stonebridge Mortgage Group Offers Guidance On All Mortgage Matters

Stonebridge Mortgage Group offers experienced loan officer and mortgage broker services in Gresham. You can rely on Stonebridge Mortgage Group to help guide you through every step of the home buying process. We help get you pre-approved for a mortgages, assist with real estate loans, and provide mortgage solutions — both residential and commercial. Stonebridge Mortgage Group serves the greater Portland area and is located in Gresham, Oregon. If you’re ready to buy your first home, we’re ready to help you get there.

Call 503.661.5580 to get started on your Mortgage Financing Today.