Should I Clean the House Before the Appraisal Inspection?

Will it affect the value of your home if the appraiser shows up for the inspection and the sink and kitchen counters are covered in dirty dishes from last night's dinner party?, or if the kids left their clothes scattered all over their bedrooms? The answer? A definite, "probably not."

Appraisers base their opinions of value on objective criteria. One of the items that appraisers consider is overall condition of the property. This typically includes the quality, age and condition of amenities and upgrades, as well as the overall upkeep and maintenance of the property.

So, as an example, if your home's kitchen and bathrooms have been significantly updated or remodeled, the flooring is newer, the paint is relatively fresh, etc., your home would most likely be determined to be in "good" condition and the value would reflect this. If there are dishes stacked to the ceiling and the floors are covered in dirty laundry, this alone would not make any difference in value.

However, we have appraised many homes where the unkempt look actually was indicative of a lack of upkeep, maintenance and upgrades. Under the dirty dishes were older, cracked tile counters. Under the dirty socks were stained and worn flooring. Hand-prints covered bedroom walls and the paint either needed a good cleaning or repainting.

Often, home sellers will hire someone to stage their house for sale. This typically includes fresh paint, removing the owner's property and sometimes clutter, and bringing in contemporary furniture and artwork. Why? Because it looks cleaner, nicer, and more attractive to potential buyers. Is the house worth any more by staging rented furniture? Probably not, but it does seem to upgrade the property and can increase its appeal.

In summary, should the house be cleaned before the appraisal inspection? It sure doesn't hurt.