Some useful hints to save you time on your appraisal from ENH Appraisal LLC

	By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to Freddie Mac, Office of Thrift Supervision and the like. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

To simplify the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

• A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).

• Information 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.

• Most recent real estate tax bill and or 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.

• A list of any major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning 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 when the property is being appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but is usually helpful be present to answer questions about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are a few other tips:

• Accessibility: Appraisers are very meticulous in their inspections. You should make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.

• Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a better value for your home.

• Maintenance: We often suggest fixing small things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: In the case of your borrower trying to apply for either an FHA or VA loan, we strongly recommend to ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they arrive. Some items they may recommend might be: installing a banister on all stairways, removing and repainting where there's paint peeling, fixing leaky or dripping faucets, replacing broken glass.