Some great hints to save you time on your appraisal from Taranto Appraisal, Inc.

	By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions - i.e. transactions related to Fannie Mae, FDIC, etc. Contact us if you have any questions about the appraisal process.

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

• A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).

• Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.

• Information on any written private agreements, 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.

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

• Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and your well.

• Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (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 "proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be present to answer inquiries about your property and identify any home improvements.

Here are a few other helpful recommendations:

• Accessibility: Appraisers are very detailed in their inspections. 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 are no strangers to clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impact can mean a better value for your home.

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

• FHA and VA Inspection Items: In the case of your borrower applying for either an FHA or VA loan, definitely ask your appraiser if there are additional things that should be done before they arrive. Some items they may recommend might be: having a banister on all stairways, ensuring there are electrical receptacles in every room and that each receptacle functions, repairing any faucets that leak or drip, fixing broken windows or other glass like doors.