When you buy or sell a home, chances are that an appraisal will be involved. An independent appraisal is often required to assess a home’s market value, usually on behalf of the lender. Sellers may also opt to have an appraisal performed before determining an asking price. Home appraisals are different from home inspections, which provide a report on the overall condition of a home and its systems. Some of the things often included in the appraiser’s visual inspection include:
- Location of the property
- Age of the property
- Recent sales of comparable homes
- Current market values
- Floor plan and square footage
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Lot size
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- Structure
- Condition
- Building materials
- Flooring
- Light fixtures
- Windows and doors
- Foundation
- Upgrades, remodeling, and additions
- Heating and air conditioning systems
- Appliances
- Security systems
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- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Pools
- Landscape
- Garage or carport
- Storage
- Outbuildings
- Outdoor living areas
- Amenities
Furniture, personal possessions, décor, artwork, and moveable appliances and storage are not usually considered as part of the appraisal for sales of unfurnished properties. In addition to real estate transactions, appraisals may be used in home loan refinancing, home equity loans, other types of financing where homes are used as collateral. Appraisals may also be part of tax assessment appeals in some cases.
While home warranties are not be included in appraisals, they can still add value to real estate listings. HSA home warranties help protect home investments by safeguarding sellers from the expenses of covered home system and appliance component breakdowns during the real estate transaction process and protecting buyers after closing. For sellers, HSA home warranties can help protect the home equity investment during the listing period and offer a solution for finding reliable service professionals for covered malfunctions. HSA coverage also gives sellers and real estate professionals a powerful marketing tool and competitive edge. HSA home warranties help promote buyer confidence because they won’t have to worry about covered breakdowns that happen after closing and during the contract period. Buyers also enjoy renewable annual coverage for continued protection.
HSA home warranties offer budget protection, peace of mind, and reliable service 24/7. To find out more about how to protect your clients’ budgets and increase their satisfaction, talk to your HSA Account Manager or visit onlinehsa.com.