What Does An Appraiser Check On A House In Gilbert?

When an appraiser goes through a home, they are collecting facts to compare your house with others that sold nearby. Here is what the list looks like in Gilbert, where a house has a few features northern homes do not.

Outside

Roof. Concrete tile is very common in the Phoenix area. The appraiser notes the type and its general condition.

Stucco and walls. The finish, cracks, patches and paint.

Lot and yard. Size, shape, block walls, gravel or turf, mature trees, and any irrigation.

Pool or spa. Size, type and condition.

Garage or carport. The number of cars, and whether the garage has been converted.

Solar. Whether there are panels, and whether they are owned, financed or leased.

Setting. Busy streets, nearby shopping, park or canal-side lots, and the surrounding neighborhood.

Inside

An adult with a measuring wheel on the sidewalk in front of a stucco home

Size and layout. Square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms and how the rooms connect.

Kitchen and bathrooms. The finishes and updates.

Flooring. Tile is common here, as are wood-look floors and carpet.

Cooling. In an Arizona summer the air conditioning is not a luxury. The appraiser notes its type and, where visible, its age.

Condition. Anything that needs repair, and anything recently updated.

The neighborhood and the HOA

Gilbert has a large number of homeowners associations, governed by Arizona's Planned Communities Act, A.R.S. 33-1801 and following. Dues and amenities, such as community pools, lakes and parks, are part of what a buyer pays for, so they are part of the picture.

Public records

For the basics, the appraiser consults public records. The Maricopa County Assessor offers parcel information for Gilbert properties. It helps confirm lot size and year built. The assessor's value is set for taxes and is not the appraised value.

Permits and additions

If a room has been added, a patio enclosed or a garage turned into living space, the appraiser may ask whether permits were taken out. The Town of Gilbert handles permits and zoning inside the town. Tell the appraiser what you know. It is far simpler when it comes up openly.

The difference between old and new in Gilbert

A home near the Heritage District, built when Gilbert was still a small farming town, is compared with other older homes in the area. A home in a newer master-planned community is compared with its neighbors. The appraiser is not comparing the two to each other, which is why checking the details above matters for each.

What is not part of the job

An appraiser is not a home inspector and does not test plumbing or electrical systems. If you want those checked, that is a separate service.

Helpful to have ready

A list of improvements with approximate dates

Solar paperwork if panels are leased or financed

HOA details and dues

Any earlier appraisal or survey

If you have questions before you book, call (480) 573-7263. Our residential appraisal page describes the reports we prepare.