What to expect on appraisal day

A home appraisal is a short visit, and a little preparation makes it go smoothly. Here is what to expect when a residential appraiser comes to your home in Montgomery County or the surrounding area.

Who comes to the house

Sovereign Appraisals is an independent residential appraisal business. The appraiser holds the State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser credential. We are FHA approved and on the HUD FHA roster, and our reports are written to meet Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, state requirements and USPAP.

Before the visit

Preparing the home is simple:

• Make sure every room can be entered.

• Keep a clean, dry path to the crawlspace and the attic.

• Clear access to the garage, storage areas, closets and basement. If a lender ordered the appraisal, all of these areas must be viewed.

The full checklist is on our preparing for the appraisal page.

During the visit

The appraiser walks through the home, inside and out. Interior and exterior photographs are taken for the report, so the property is documented as it is on the day of the visit.

Access to the attic and crawlspace

Clean, dry access matters. An attic hatch or crawlspace door that is clear of boxes lets the appraiser see the structure without delay.

Garages, storage and basements

If a lender ordered the appraisal, the garage, storage areas, closets and basement are all part of the inspection. A clear, uncluttered space makes the visit faster.

What we appraise

We appraise single-family homes, condos and co-ops, and two- to four-family properties. We serve Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, and we consider other counties case by case. We also take RUSH orders when timing is tight.

Ready to schedule?

Call us at 215-648-2477, or use our contact page. We are located in Blue Bell, PA 19422.