Included in this section are articles written by service providers, Concierge staff, and outside experts to provide you with information helpful with various aspects of homeownership, running a household and managing the ongoing maintenance of your property.
- Interviewing A Vendor
- Universal Home Design Resources - Content Courtesy of Coldwell Banker
- It’s Easy Being Green - Content Courtesy of Coldwell Banker
- Sustainable Design for Kitchens and Baths - Content Courtesy of Top Notch
- Energy Efficient Remodeling - Content Courtesy of Top Notch
- Green Living Tips - Content Courtesy of Whitefence
- Relocating With Small Children - Content Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Relocation
- Insurance Tips:Know More, Save More - Content Courtesy of NRT Insurance
- How to Prepare for Safe Termite Fumigation - Content Courtesy of Gateway Exterminators
- Contractor's Insurance Coverage - Content Courtesy of Parsa Properties, Inc., Construction and Property Services
- Property Tax Shock? - Content Courtesy of West Coast Services Inc. - A1 Appraisal
- What appraisers look for - Content Courtesy of For What It's Worth
- The Dangers of Construction without a Building Permit - Content Courtesy of Aaron Industries
- Marble Floor Care - Content courtesy of Royal Care Services
- Geological Engineering - Content Courtesy of American Geotechnical
- Do You Have Enough Homeowner's Insurance? - Content Courtesy of Digital Home Inventories
- Get Organized - Content Courtesy of Creating Balance
- Mold FAQs - Content Courtesy of Coastal Risk Management
- Personal Safety - Content Courtesy of Brink's Home Security
- Obtaining Building Permits - Content Courtesy of Parsa Properties, Inc., Construction and Property Services
- Termite Inspections - Content Courtesy of CVA Exterminators
- Easy Home Decorating - Content Courtesy of RLM Decor
- Increase the Appraisal Value of Your Home - Content Courtesy of Malibu Appraisal
- Water, Fire, & Smoke Damage - Content Courtesy of Service Master One Call Restoration
- Plantation Shutters - Content Courtesy of Classic Home Improvement Inc.
- Air Duct Cleaning - Content Courtesy of Alliance Environmental Group, Inc.
- Simple Plumbing Tips - Content Courtesy of Reckon and Reckon Plumbing
- Protect Yourself from a Mechanics Lien - Courtesy of Coldwell Banker
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What are appraisers looking for and how can I get a higher value on my home?
Many people wonder what appraisers are looking for when determining the value of their home. Some people feel they have to take time out of their day to clean the house, mow the yard, and ask the kids to put their toys away. Cleaning and putting things in order does have a benefit because it allows the entity requesting the appraisal for the loan or refinance to show the investor that the home is well taken care of. However, an appraiser is not there to appraise housekeeping, only the layout and structure of the home. The stain on the chair or the spill on the table does not negatively influence the appraisal. It is more important that the home is properly maintained by keeping up on items that can become costly with deferred maintenance. Some examples include holes in walls, torn carpet, dead or overgrown landscaping and chipping or peeling paint. Some of the features that can give a home an increased value are built-in pools and spas, patio covers, cul-de-sac streets, unobstructed views, remodeled kitchens and bathrooms and new flooring. If a comparable home features a pool and the subject also has a pool then no adjustment is made. Keep in mind that appraisers must go by square footage of the subject property when adjusting against the comparable properties. Generally appraisers look for comparables that are a model match home or homes that are less than 20% difference in square footage even if the home is ¾ of a mile away.