HOME APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR REO, PROBATE, ESTATE,SHORT SALES, DIVORCE OR BANKRUPTCY. OUR REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS ARE PROFESSIONAL, AND ACCURATE. WE ARE THE APPRAISAL COMPANY FOR THE BAY AREA, AND THE CENTRAL VALLEY WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE. WE HAVE OFFICES IN TRACY, MANTECA, LATHROP, STOCKTON AND LIVERMORE.

Express Appraisals's appraisal checklist

To appraise a property, an appraiser is required to be licensed by the state when the transaction involves any federal financial regulatory agency such as OTS, FDIC, etc.. Just give us a call at 209 832-4321 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 plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

  • Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.

  • Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.

  • A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as a oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.

  • Title policy that Lists encroachments or easements.

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

  • Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.

  • A list of any major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).

  • A copy of the current listing agreement and 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 them along on the entire site inspection, but generally you'll want to be available to answer inquiries about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are a few other suggestions:

  • Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic and crawl space.

  • Housekeeping: Appraisers see quite a few of homes a year and aren't surprised at seeing a bit of clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can mean a better home value.

  • Maintenance: We generally suggest repairing minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.

  • FHA and VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is 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 things they may recommend might be: installing handrails on all stairways; removing and touching up where there's paint peeling; repairing any faucets that leak or dripreplacing broken glass. And lastly, provide inspection access to the attic and crawl spaces since the appraiser will need to look at those, too.