What Happens During A Home Appraisal In Gilbert?

If you have never had a home appraised, it can feel like being graded. It is not. It is an ordinary, careful look at a house by someone trying to work out what it is worth. Here is the whole thing from your side of the table.

Before the appraiser is scheduled

You call or write with the address and the reason: an estate, a divorce, a trust, a tax question, a sale. The reason matters. It decides who the report is written for and which date the value should speak to. We say what we will need and when the work can be done.

Seeing the home

The appraiser walks through the home and around it. Expect measuring outside, a count of bedrooms and bathrooms, a look at the kitchen, and photographs. In Gilbert the appraiser also looks at what matters here: concrete tile roofs, stucco, block walls, the garage, a gravel or turf yard, a pool, and solar panels.

You do not need to stage anything. A path to the water heater and the air handler helps. If you have a list of improvements with dates, hand it over; it is genuinely useful. And if there is a pet, mention it.

What happens afterward

The appraiser looks for recent sales of similar homes nearby, compares them with yours, and adjusts for size, condition, lot and features. Gilbert is a town where a short drive changes the picture. Older ranch homes close to the Heritage District sell differently from newer homes in master-planned neighborhoods, so the choice of comparable sales is where most of the thinking happens.

Basic facts such as lot size and year built can be checked with the Maricopa County Assessor, which publishes parcel information anyone can search. The assessor's number is set for tax purposes. It is not the appraised value, and an appraiser does not simply copy it.

The finished report

You receive a written report with photographs, a description of the home, the comparable sales, and the reasoning behind the final opinion of value. Arizona appraisers are licensed by the state's appraiser licensing agency and follow professional standards. Each report names its purpose and effective date, because a value only makes sense with both attached.

What an appraisal is not

It is not a home inspection. The appraiser is not testing the plumbing or the air conditioner, though something plainly serious may be noted. If you want the mechanical condition checked, that is a different professional.

Summer and scheduling

Arizona summers are long and hot. If you or an older relative live in the house, tell us what time of day works best. An appointment that suits the household is better than one that is merely quick.

How long it takes

It depends on the home, the purpose and the calendar. When you call, ask for the earliest date, and we will tell you honestly when we can meet it.

If you would like to start, or just ask a question first, call (480) 573-7263. Our residential appraisal page has more about what we prepare.