An appraisal is not a free value indication from your broker. We make a complete report according to the standards of the NRVT and submit it for approval to the Dutch Housing Value Institute (NWWI).
Why an appraisal?
Perhaps the most common situation to hire a valuer is when buying a new home. However, there are a number of other situations in which it may be wise to have the home valued.
Have you purchased a (new-build) home and do you need a mortgage for this?
If you need financing for the purchase, the lender will ask for a validated valuation report. This means that a third party, the NWWI, must validate the valuation report of the appraiser. The valuation report gives the lender insight into the actual market value of the home and partly determines your borrowing capacity. If the valuation is carried out for obtaining financing, the costs are often tax deductible.
Do you want to save on your current mortgage payments?
If the home has increased in value over time, this can affect your mortgage interest rate. The mortgage interest rate is partly based on the ratio between the mortgage debt and the value of the home. So if the value of your home increases and the mortgage debt decreases through repayment, you may end up in a lower risk class. This can cause your interest rate to decrease, which in turn means savings on your monthly payments!
Are you planning to renovate your home?
If you are going to make improvements to the home, such as foundation repair, a new bathroom or the installation of an extension, you can finance these costs in your mortgage by calculating the increase in value. Based on the renovation specification, the appraiser will include a market value after renovation in the valuation report. This way you know immediately how much your home is worth after renovation.
Do you want to make your home more sustainable?
You can also apply for financing to make your home more sustainable. This includes insulating your home, installing solar panels or installing a heat pump. By having your home appraised, you will gain insight into the value you add to your home by taking energy-saving measures. Part of the costs of the energy-saving measures can be co-financed in the mortgage.
Would you like the value to be determined independently and expertly for a fair distribution?
Sometimes it happens that the value of a home needs to be divided, think of a divorce or a death. Then it is nice to hire a valuer who can determine the value independently, impartially and professionally and thus ensure that the division can proceed in a pleasant and fair way for all parties involved.
How do I prepare?
What exactly does a home appraisal entail?
An appraisal is not just an estimate of the value of your home; it is a comprehensive evaluation that takes many different aspects of the home into consideration. With an official appraisal, you are dealing with a professional certified appraiser, who is registered with the NRVT.
The appraiser will look at the general condition of the home, any improvements or renovations, the location, and much more. Understanding what appraisers are looking for and preparing your home for that criteria can definitely make a difference in the final appraisal value.
What does an appraiser look at when appraising a home?
Valuers see a lot of homes and are trained to look through everything. This means: thinking away everything that is not relevant and that does not belong to the property. So a lot of stuff in the house is no problem for a valuer, as long as it does not hinder the proper recording of all components. That is important: the valuer must be able to reach everything easily.
Cellars or sheds are sometimes very full, for example, while the appraiser has to check a lot of things there. Or there is an attic that he cannot get to, because there is no loft ladder. Furthermore, an appraiser is also a person: a tidy kitchen and clean sanitary facilities leave a good impression in any case. An appraiser looks at a number of factors when determining the value of your house.
The appraiser will walk through the entire house using a checklist and tick off the values and the positives and negatives of the house on various factors. These are used in drawing up the final appraisal report.
It is important to know that a valuer is bound by regulations to ensure that they perform their work in an ethical and accurate manner. We are regularly audited and evaluated by industry bodies and certification bodies. This includes reviewing their valuation reports and monitoring the quality of their work.
Important factors for a valuation:
Location: The location of a home is one of the most important factors in determining its value. A home in a desirable neighborhood is generally worth more than a home in a less desirable neighborhood.
Dimensions: The dimensions of a home, such as square footage, also affect its value. A larger home is generally worth more than a smaller home.
State of maintenance: The state of maintenance of a house is an important factor in determining its value. A house in good condition is generally worth more than a house in poor condition.
Improvements: Any improvements or renovations made to a home can increase its value.
Comparable homes: The appraiser also looks at the sales prices of comparable homes in the area. This helps to make a realistic valuation.
Optimizing the home
It is important to present the property in the best possible condition when the appraiser arrives. This does not necessarily mean doing major renovations, but rather being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your property.
By making small improvements, carrying out any repairs and ensuring that your home is clean and well-maintained, you can emphasise the positive aspects of your home. A neat and well-maintained home can leave a positive impression. So make sure that the front and back gardens look nice and tidy, that the entrance to your home is inviting and that any repairs to the exterior of the home are completed.
Also remember that the appraiser will take photos of both the exterior and interior of the home as found. These photos will be included in the report.
Document improvements
If you have made improvements to your home in recent years, such as renovations or remodels, repairs or energy efficiency measures: make sure you have all the relevant documentation of these projects. Think of invoices, photos and construction drawings. This can help the appraiser consider the value of these improvements.
The valuation report
After the appraiser has collected all the necessary information during the inspection and with a market analysis, the process of drawing up the valuation report begins at the office. For this purpose, documents are also requested from, among others, the land registry and, for example, the municipality. The valuation report describes the findings, data and valuation methods in detail. The report offers an accurate estimate of the value of the home, through a careful consideration of all the collected data and impressions of your home.
Ultimately, you will receive the complete valuation report in PDF format, and you can share the report with your mortgage advisor, for example.
What can I expect?
- You have clear agreements with us about the rate and when the report can be delivered.
- We have knowledge of the area and extensive experience in valuing homes in the Zaanstreek.
- We are not a purchasing or sales agent and we do not sell or mediate in mortgages or insurance: we are therefore always objective, independent and impartial, and have no interests that could conflict.
- We are registered in the NRVT register and you will always receive a validated report from us by the NWWI, which is valid for 6 months.
- We annually follow the necessary continuing education for the NRVT and are aware of the latest developments in the valuation profession.
- Our valuation reports are accepted by all mortgage and financing providers in the Netherlands. You can always go to different providers with our report and therefore make your own choice which provider suits you best.
- We will provide you with a well-founded market value of your home at that time and a comprehensive report of the research in accordance with the NRVT guidelines.
- If it suits you better, we will even come and appraise your home on Saturdays!
