What Do Appraisers Look For When Valuing a Home? | Kat Moore Realtor®

Curious what appraisers look for in your Maryland home? Learn how square footage, condition, upgrades, and comps impact your value — and how Realtor® Kat Moore can help you prepare.

💡 Spoiler alert: An appraiser doesn’t care if your throw pillows match your curtains.

When you’re selling (or refinancing) your home, the appraisal can feel like the mystery test you didn’t study for. A stranger shows up, pokes around, and then gives your home a grade that can literally make or break your deal.

So, what exactly are appraisers looking for? Let’s break it down — no legal jargon, no boring textbook talk, just the real deal with a bit of humor sprinkled in.

The Purpose of an Appraisal

Before diving into the checklist, let’s get clear on what an appraisal actually is.

An appraisal is a professional, unbiased opinion of your home’s market value. Mortgage lenders require it to make sure the property is worth what the buyer is paying. Think of it as the bank saying, “We’ll loan you money, but we’re double-checking that you’re not overpaying for a fixer-upper with a collapsing roof.”

No pressure, right?

1. The Basics (Your Home’s Stat Sheet)

The first thing an appraiser looks at is the “stats” of your home:

• Square footage (both finished and unfinished space)

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Lot size

• Year built and age of major components

• Style of home (colonial, ranch, townhouse, condo, etc.)

• Overall condition (well-maintained vs. falling apart)

Think of this like the baseball card for your house. It doesn’t matter how cute your decor is — the appraiser is more interested in the hard facts.

2. Health & Safety First 🛠️

Appraisers are trained to spot issues that affect livability and safety. Some things that raise red flags:

• Roof leaks or visible damage

• Plumbing problems (hello, dripping faucet that’s been ignored for 6 months)

• Electrical issues (like exposed wiring)

• HVAC not working properly

• Structural cracks in walls or foundation

These aren’t just cosmetic; they affect whether a lender feels the home is a good investment. Pro tip: if you know something’s broken, fix it before the appraiser shows up. It’ll cost you less now than it could after the fact.

3. Location, Location… You Know the Rest

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but location really is king. An appraiser considers:

• The neighborhood’s overall appeal

• School district quality

• Proximity to shopping, highways, jobs, and public transportation

• Noise, traffic, and safety concerns

Sorry, you can’t pick up your house and move it to a “better” school district before the appraisal. But the good news is, appraisers understand that every neighborhood has its own market. They’re comparing apples to apples — your house against others nearby.

4. Comparable Sales (The “Comps”)

This part carries a lot of weight. Appraisers look at recent sales of similar properties within a close radius — usually the past 3 to 6 months and within about a mile or so.

Here’s the kicker: if your neighbor sold their house at a fire-sale price because they were relocating in a hurry, that number still shows up in the data. The appraiser is trained to note unusual situations, but the sale price still sets a tone in your area.

So while you might think, “But my home is worth way more than theirs!” — the appraiser has to rely on what the market actually shows.

5. Upgrades & Updates ✨

This is the part sellers care about most. Yes, your brand-new kitchen, updated bathrooms, finished basement, and luxury vinyl plank floors do get noticed. The appraiser considers upgrades that are permanent, functional, and valuable.

• New roof = ✅ value added

• Replaced HVAC = ✅ value added

• Freshly remodeled kitchen = ✅ value added

• Built-in pool = 🤔 depends on the market (in Maryland, some buyers love it, others see maintenance headaches)

• Brand-new shiplap accent wall because HGTV told you so = ❌ not so much

In short: Appraisers give credit for improvements that extend the home’s life, efficiency, or appeal to the majority of buyers.

6. Condition, Not Cleanliness

Here’s some good news: Appraisers don’t grade your housekeeping skills. A messy kid’s room or dishes in the sink won’t tank your value.

But here’s the bad news: deferred maintenance will. That leaky gutter, peeling paint, or broken door handle all add up to “poor condition” in the appraiser’s notes.

So while you don’t need to scrub your baseboards, you should handle repairs before the appointment.

7. Market Trends

Lastly, appraisers look at the bigger picture:

• Is the local market hot, balanced, or slowing down?

• Are homes selling above asking price or lingering?

• Are interest rates affecting affordability in your area?

This part is less about your individual home and more about how the market impacts value overall.

What You Can Do as a Seller

• Make small repairs before the appraisal.

• Highlight upgrades with a list (dates, costs, warranties if you have them).

• Don’t stress about cleaning for a magazine shoot — but do show pride of ownership.

• Work with your Realtor® (me 😉) to understand the comps before you list. That way, the appraisal isn’t a shocking plot twist.

  
  

📌 Bottom line: Appraisers are not out to get you. They’re out to make sure the value of your home matches reality. Your job is to present your home in its best light, fix the obvious issues, and trust that the right Realtor® will help you prepare.

Kat Moore | Realtor | Advisor

Samson Properties

📞 410-414-5967 (cell), 443-975-7555 (office)

📧 kat@germanrealtor.com

🌐 www.germanrealtor.com

The Kat Walk To Homeownership

Disclaimer

This blog post is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects my perspective as a licensed real estate agent. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and regulations can change, and individual circumstances vary. Please consult a licensed tax professional, attorney, or other qualified advisor for advice specific to your situation.