Assessing the Condition of the Property

When you are looking at the subject property that you will be appraising there are several visual inspections that need to be made. You will look at everything from the general condition of the home to the interior details.

When looking at the exterior condition of the home you will need to visually inspect the foundation (if visible). The foundation could be made of concrete slab or cinder blocks. The primary clues you will be looking for include cracks, shifts, and other damages which will be obvious. Other exterior conditions you will need to inspect include the siding or veneer, the roof, the exterior doors, and the windows.

The veneer could be composed of wood, aluminum siding, vinyl siding, stone, or masonry. The condition of these materials are fairly easy to determine upon visual inspection. You want to look at whether or not there are any cracks, splits, missing sections, or extensive damage.

The doors could be made of wood, metal, glass or any combination of those materials. Once again, look for cracks, holes, and assure that the the doors all open and close easily with minimal rubbing and effort. All exterior doors should have functional knobs and locks. The roof should appear non distressed and could be composed of wood shingles, asphalt shingles, clay shingles, or other aggregate composite materials suitable for roofing in the market. Windows should all close and open easily and have functioning latches on the interior.

Once the exterior inspection is complete, you will need to inspect the interior of the home if possible. Inside the home, you should look at the walls and floors noticing any cracks, ripples, uneven areas, or extensive damages.

If the home appears to be in good overall condition, minimal adjustments will need to be made. Keep in mind that the condition of the home will depend greatly on the initial construction techniques, the age of the home, and the lifestyles of the homes previous inhabitants.