How Can You Get a Higher Home Appraisal?
Tips for Florida Homeowners
If you are selling or refinancing a home, you may be wondering: “How can I get a higher home appraisal?” While no homeowner or real estate agent can control the appraiser’s final opinion, you can take several steps to help ensure your property’s condition, improvements and special features are fully considered.
A home appraisal is an independent estimate of your property’s current market value. The appraiser typically considers the home’s location, size, condition, recent comparable sales and features that buyers value in the local market.
1. Prepare a Home Improvement List
Create a clear list of improvements made to the property, including the approximate completion date and cost. Examples include:
New roof
Updated HVAC system
Hurricane-impact windows
New water heater
Updated kitchen or bathrooms
New flooring
Whole-home generator
Pool or pool-equipment improvements
Updated plumbing or electrical systems
Fencing, landscaping or outdoor living areas
RV parking, covered storage or electrical hookups
Include receipts, warranties, permits and contractor information when available. Although improvement costs do not always translate dollar-for-dollar into appraised value, this information helps the appraiser understand the home’s overall condition.
2. Make Sure the Property Information Is Correct
Incorrect property information can negatively affect an appraisal. Before the appraisal, verify the home’s:
Heated and cooled square footage
Bedroom and bathroom count
Lot size
Garage or carport spaces
Pool and outdoor features
Permitted additions
Waterfront or deeded water access
Community amenities
A Florida room, guest suite, workshop or converted garage may not be counted as living space unless it meets applicable requirements. Permits and professional measurements can help support the property’s actual features.
3. Provide Strong Comparable Sales
Recent sales of similar homes are one of the most important parts of an appraisal. Your REALTOR® can prepare a package of relevant comparable properties for the appraiser to review.
The strongest comparable sales are generally homes that are:
Located in the same neighborhood or market area
Similar in size, age and construction
Comparable in condition and updates
Sold recently
Similar in lot size, view and location
Equipped with similar features, such as a pool, garage or waterfront access
For homes in Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Perdido Key, Destin and Fort Walton Beach, neighborhood boundaries and proximity to the water can make a significant difference in value.
4. Document Features That May Be Overlooked
Some valuable features may not be obvious during a short appraisal appointment. Prepare a list that highlights special selling points, such as:
Deeded beach or water access
Private dock or boat lift
Saltwater pool
Hurricane protection
Whole-home generator
RV or boat parking
Outdoor kitchen
Screened or conditioned Florida room
Updated major systems
Short-term rental potential, where permitted
No HOA or desirable community amenities
Proximity to military installations, beaches and employment centers
The goal is not to pressure the appraiser. It is to make sure accurate and relevant information is available.
5. Improve the Home’s Overall Condition
An appraisal is not the same as a showing, but condition still matters. A clean, maintained home can make it easier for the appraiser to identify improvements and accurately evaluate the property.
Before the appointment:
Clean and declutter the home
Trim landscaping and improve curb appeal
Repair peeling paint and damaged flooring
Fix visible leaks and broken fixtures
Replace burned-out lightbulbs
Open blinds and turn on lights
Make every room accessible
Provide access to garages, sheds and pool equipment
Secure pets
If the buyer is using FHA or VA financing, address obvious safety and property-condition concerns, including missing handrails, damaged windows, exposed wiring, active leaks and deteriorated exterior paint.
6. Avoid Expensive Last-Minute Renovations
Do not assume a major last-minute renovation will automatically produce an equally large increase in appraised value. Appraisers look for market-supported value, not simply what an owner spent.
Smaller improvements—fresh paint, completed repairs, clean landscaping and updated fixtures—may be more practical before an appraisal than starting an expensive remodeling project.
What Happens If the Appraisal Is Too Low?
A low appraisal does not always mean the transaction is over. First, carefully review the report for:
Incorrect square footage
Missing bedrooms or bathrooms
Omitted improvements
Incorrect property details
Unsuitable comparable sales
Major features that were overlooked
The buyer or borrower can ask the lender about submitting a Reconsideration of Value. This request should include factual corrections, stronger comparable sales and supporting documentation. Simply disagreeing with the value is usually not enough; the request needs credible market evidence.
Depending on the contract and financing, the buyer and seller may also renegotiate the price, adjust closing costs, challenge the appraisal through the lender or explore another financing solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Appraisals
Does a clean home appraise for more?
Cleaning alone does not add measurable square footage or change the neighborhood, but a clean, well-maintained home helps the appraiser see its condition and improvements clearly.
Should my REALTOR® attend the appraisal?
When permitted, your REALTOR® may meet the appraiser and provide an organized information package containing improvements, property features and relevant comparable sales. The REALTOR® cannot pressure the appraiser or determine the final value.
Does a pool increase a Florida home’s appraisal?
A pool may add value, especially when comparable homes with pools have recently sold nearby. The amount varies based on the neighborhood, pool condition and buyer demand.
Do renovations increase appraised value?
Renovations can increase value when local buyers are willing to pay more for them. However, the value added may be less than the renovation’s original cost.
Can a low appraisal be challenged?
Yes. The lender may allow a Reconsideration of Value when there are factual errors, overlooked features or better comparable sales. Supporting evidence is essential.
Thinking About Selling Your Florida Home?
The best time to prepare for an appraisal is before your home goes under contract. I help sellers evaluate their property, identify important improvements, analyze comparable sales and position their homes for the strongest possible results.
Danie K. Bell, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Realty
Military Relocation Specialist
Serving Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Perdido Key, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Florida’s Emerald Coast
Phone: 850-324-8428
Website: MoveToNavarre.com
Florida Real Estate License: SL3268981
This article provides general real estate information and does not guarantee a particular appraised value. Each property, transaction and appraisal is unique.