How Do I Prepare My Home for an Appraisal as a Seller?

How do I prepare my home for an appraisal when I am selling?
Make the visit easy. Clean the home, clear access to every room, fix small things, and write down your updates with dates. You cannot control the value, because an appraisal is an independent opinion, but you can make sure nothing gets missed.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

The CFPB describes an appraisal as a written document that shows an opinion of how much a property is worth. It describes what makes the property valuable and may show how it compares to other properties in the neighborhood. It is an independent assessment of the value. When a buyer borrows money to buy a home, the lender may need an appraisal. Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB also says lenders are not allowed to interfere with the appraiser's judgment, so the goal is a smooth visit, not to sway the result. Source: CFPB, My appraisal is less than the sale price.

The buyer's lender orders it, not you. The CFPB says the lender may require the buyer to pay for it, and that a borrower is entitled to a copy soon after it reaches the lender in complete form, and no later than three days before closing. Ask your agent how the report will be shared with you, since you are not the borrower.

• Clean the home and take out clutter, so every room is easy to see and measure.
• Unlock gates, sheds and garages, and clear the way to the attic, basement and utility areas.
• Make sure the lights, water and heat work, so nothing has to be taken on faith.
• Fix small things like a loose railing, a running toilet, a missing outlet cover or a sticking door.
• Replace burned-out bulbs, and open the blinds so the rooms are bright.
• Move pet items, and take your pet out of the house if you can.
• Clear the driveway and walkways so the appraiser can reach the front door and see the outside.

A short list of what you have done to the home, with dates and, if you have them, receipts or permits. For example:

• A new roof, with the year it was done.
• A new water heater, furnace or air conditioner, with the year.
• New flooring, windows or doors.
• A bathroom or kitchen update, a finished basement, or an added room.

The appraiser is looking at the whole home against recent sales, so a clear list keeps real updates from being missed. Your agent can also share the sales that support the price. We prepare that for you. Do not exaggerate or guess about a date. If you are not sure, say so.

Be polite, answer questions, and let the appraiser work. You do not need to follow along room to room. Make sure someone can give access, and do not argue about the value on the spot. If you think something was missed, tell your agent so it can be raised the right way.

It happens. Say the contract price is $800,000 and the appraisal comes in at $760,000. The CFPB says a buyer can often use the lower appraised value to ask the seller for a lower price, and that the buyer may cancel if the seller will not reduce it, depending on the terms of the contract. Your agent will walk you through your options. Read What If My Home Appraisal Comes In Low? for the next steps. The strongest protection is a price that matches your home's condition and recent nearby sales from day one.

Appraisers look at recent sales, so the market matters. Bright MLS Industry Watch shows Arlington County homes sold for an average of 98.0% of their original list price in July through September 2026, with an average marketing time of 38 days. Bright MLS also showed about 3.9 months of supply in Arlington as of October 2026, up from 3.0 a year earlier. These are county averages, not a forecast for your street. We look at the sales closest to yours.

Yes. Through The White Glove Home Sale Method, we handle painting, repairs, staging and deep cleaning at no additional cost to you. For a plan, see Get Your Home Ready to List in 30 Days.

Online and preliminary estimates are starting points. A property's potential market value depends on its condition, location, features, competition, market conditions, and other factors.

Do I have to be home for the appraisal?
Ask your agent. Many sellers step out, but someone needs to give access.

Will a fresh coat of paint raise the value?
We cannot promise that. A clean, cared-for home is easier to appraise and to show, but the appraiser decides the value.

Do I get a copy of the appraisal?
The CFPB says the borrower should get a copy no later than three days before closing. Ask your agent how it will be shared with you.

Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.