Any time you’re about to list a property for sale, it’s crucial to put your best foot forward! If it’s located in a red-hot market, you’re potentially leaving money on the table if you don’t renovate to meet the standards of comparable properties. And if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of easy upgrades that offer a lot of “bang for your buck!” Our team at Ferstl Valuation Services has been offering trusted real estate appraisals in Little Rock since 1967, and we’re always a phone call away whenever you’d like to schedule an appraisal or a professional real estate consultation.
An independent appraisal is an objective valuation of a property’s fair market value, and an essential first step in any real estate transaction. Before scheduling your appraisal, you should review prior appraisals and address any issues that previously lowered the property’s value; if you don’t address those issues now, it’s a good bet they’ll be included in your next appraisal! You’ll also want to pay attention to the most recent sale price of comparable properties, as well as how long they stay on the market. If comps are selling quickly, you owe it to yourself to make as many upgrades as your budget allows. You can often more than double your investment in a new steel front door or garage door, and you can also typically recoup 60-80% of the costs of kitchen and bathroom upgrades.
If you can’t afford to make major renovations, focus on cleanliness and curb appeal. Keep the lawn mowed and the hedges trimmed, and freshen up your planters and flower beds. And you should also strongly consider adding a fresh coat of paint. A 2025 report by The National Association of Realtors (NAR) suggests that a new coat of white, grey, or beige paint can boost a home’s value by as much as 10%!
You can expedite your site visit by preparing a folder containing all required documentation in advance. The appraiser will review your documents and take some photos, and you’ll receive your appraisal in approximately two weeks. Your report will include a detailed property description and current valuation, along with any observed defects or issues that adversely affected the valuation.
For more information about real estate appraisal services in Little Rock, contact us online or at 501-375-1439.
