1. Kitchen Upgrades: The modernity of a home is most evident when an appraiser inspects the kitchen. Whether it’s actually used or not, the kitchen is a good indicator of the home’s level of remodeling. As evidenced in most all MLS descriptions, the kitchen is always described in detail to impress a potential buyer. Items like granite countertops, custom or upgraded cabinetry with glass inserts showing off fine china, stainless steel or higher end appliances, all contribute to impressing an appraiser’s opinion of the home’s value.

2. Stain grade interior doors: Stained wood doors, as opposed to painted wood doors, make a great impression upon an appraiser. This serves to demonstrate warmth and willingness to spend a bit more money than the off-the-shelf, store bought painted doors that are seen on most every home. The doors are not necessarily noted for being solid wood or not. Veneered doors impress an appraiser just as much as a solid wood door.

3. Insulated Windows: Vinyl windows have become quite commonplace and current building code requirements mandate that all newer windows must be dual glazed with clear tempered glass. Well built windows make a stronger impression. Vinyl is popular and relatively cheap and found from many manufacturers. Many older homes still have the single glazed glass windows throughout the home. When upgrading your windows, try to find a window system that has a wood interior. Even if its vinyl to the exterior, the warmth of wood on the interior will say a lot about the comfort of a home.

4. Clean carpet: Nothing can make a bigger statement than having clean carpets when showing a home. A relatively inexpensive “fix” is to have the carpets cleaned to remove the everyday dirt and grime that builds up over time. The first impression is negative when there are darkened pathways worn on your carpet even if everything else is in tip top shape.

5. Paint: White walls are seen everywhere and are on more homes than Paris Hilton has shoes. Walls colored subtle tones and hues can add a great impression, warm or cool a room, and make the home look much more custom just by adding some neutral color. The right tones are just as important; colors that scream at the non-resident can make the home desirable only to a very specific buyer. When a home is accented with different hues to set the mood for the room’s specific purpose, there is an element of customization that is perceived by the appraiser.

6. Landscaping: A well laid out landscape or hardscape makes a difference on the perceived value to an appraiser because it is compared to the other homes, not just in the neighborhood, but with homes of similar dimensional characteristics. Landscaping that takes advantage of a view corridor or the property’s topography can render a higher perceived appraised value for its effort to blend the home, lot size and usefulness altogether.

7. Patios and balconies: These are outdoor areas that are considered part of the overall value that can add incremental value to a home. A small patio doesn’t have to be ornate, but perhaps with a spa, veranda and/or barbecue renders the outdoor area an extension of the indoor area to maintain the flow of the home.

8. Bathrooms: A strong consideration to the overall level of upgrading/remodeling of the home is contingent upon the level upgrading/remodeling done to the bathrooms. Although a kitchen might have been upgraded, if the bathrooms still have the pre-fabricated one-piece countertops or shower surrounds, the overall condition rating could be given a “good” to “good plus” rating. Whereas, if the bathrooms and kitchen were all upgraded/remodeled, a “very good condition” rating might have been earned.

9. Cottage Cheese Ceilings: Nothing screams 20th century, at least in Southern California, than yesteryear popular cottage cheese ceilings. If these can be removed and smoothed over, then the appraised value usually will be greater than a similar home without the removal. It’s a dead giveaway to a home lacking “updating”.

10. Heating and Cooling: Dependent on the climate zone and area in which you live, either of these two items will make a difference when compared to a home that is absent of this amenity. For example, if your home is coastal the need for an air conditioning unit is not as great. However, if you’re located in the San Fernando Valley, an air conditioning unit will be looked at as standard equipment as part of the home. If it’s not present, the value will certainly be affected.