So, you need a property valuation in Darwin, and you have just booked an inspection from your friendly local property valuer, but now you’ve just noticed your house is a bit messy… do you need to clean? In most cases, no. Residential property valuers are very used to seeing homes in various different states. If your home is not sparkling clean, it should not have an effect on their valuation.

Property valuations are essential for a number of occasions, including paying capital gains taxes and applying for a home loan. In these circumstances, as well as many others, a valuer will be completely objective. There are certain things they need to look out for, but the odd banana peel or rogue sock will not be an issue. However, you should know, most valuers will take photos of the property and will include these photos in the report. Depending on who the end recipient of the report is, you may want to tidy up and put away any unmentionables.

What does a valuer look for in a property valuation?

There is a lot that goes into a Darwin property valuation. An inspection of a property is just part of the process, however, it is critical in confirming vital information and determining the current market value of the subject. Here is what residential valuers look at when conducting a property valuation:

Size and layout

A valuer will always consider the size of the property no matter what kind of real estate valuation they are completing. It is a key part of their calculations, particularly if they are using the comparison approach. Measurements may be taken, but valuers generally do not move furniture to do so.

The layout of a house or unit is not as important, but it does have some impact on house value. The flow of the residence, the number of rooms and their respective sizes are all considered by prospective buyers and tenants when looking at a property. They can make or break a person’s interest in the buying or renting. It can also be what separates this property from its comparables in both a positive and negative way. Hence, the layout is still a strong consideration for property valuers.

Condition

This is something a valuer can only see if they are looking at the property themselves. There is no way to determine the current condition of the property adequately and accurately without a full inspection.

This covers a lot of areas, but mostly a valuer will be looking at whether the property has been well maintained, and whether there are no major issues that need to be immediately addressed such as hazardous electrical work or structural concerns. They also look for signs of issues that may arise later.

Smaller concerns such as peeling paint and broken fixtures all add up and lead to a lower property value.

Quality of renovations

This is tied to the condition of the property but deserves added attention. Renovations large and small vary in quality. They can be perfectly planned and executed guaranteeing an increase in house value, or they could create a lot of issues for current and/or future occupants.

A residential valuer will take extra care in examining an improvement, renovation, and addition to ensure its quality will not significantly decrease the value of a residence.

Other relevant information

There is more to an inspection than what we have mentioned above, but they are some of the main items a valuer will assess during their visit. All of which are more important than the cleanliness of the property.

An inspection is not the only way a valuer will assess and evaluate a property. Residential valuers will use online resources such as RP Data to gather information about the property and the local market. This makes up a large portion of the valuation process and an inspection merely adds to the accuracy of their assessment.

Should I mow my lawn before a valuation?

Mowing your lawn is not a necessity when it comes to preparing your home for a valuation. The same can be said about tending to your garden. If your lawn is a tad overgrown (especially after heavy rain) or your shrubs and trees are untrimmed, it will not affect your property value.

However, if your front yard looks incredibly neglected, it may form a negative first impression on the valuer. While a valuer will always remain as objective as possible, they are still human. A bad first impression could lead to the valuer looking a little more critically than normal as this first sign of neglect could suggest that there are more issues ahead.

The importance of kerb appeal

Kerb appeal is very important when it comes to selling your property and making a great first impression with buyers. While kerb appeal may not greatly affect a valuation for related party transfers, it may be a greater consideration with a pre-sale/pre-purchase valuation as buyer preferences in a particular area is a factor that can influence property values.

How much does junk on the property affect value?

A messy house with a lot of rubbish lying about should not make a difference to your property value but it may make your valuer uncomfortable. A residential valuer in Darwin will always try to be as professional as possible and will conduct a valuation to the best of their ability. However, if they have to tiptoe around a lot of clutter, it could affect the quality of their assessment and ultimately, the accuracy of your property valuation report.

As with any signs of neglect, too much clutter and an extreme amount of disorderliness may suggest that the property has been poorly maintained in general. A valuer may assume that there could be some serious concerns beneath the surface and could investigate further.

Should I clean my house before a valuation?

For most, you do not need to clean your house before a valuation. A bit of dust on your furniture or a littering of crumbs by your toaster will likely go unnoticed by your valuer. If they do notice such details, they will ignore them. These are general signs that someone lives on the property. It also means that you are only human. These small signs of life will have absolutely no effect on your property valuation or the market value of your house.

Homes that have heavy amounts of dirt, grime, mould, and stains could have a lower value. If the property is unclean enough to need professional cleaning services to do more than a simple bond clean, then it will come at a high price. If you were to sell the property in this condition, buyers would expect a lower price to makeup for the added cost and inconvenience of having the property cleaned themselves.

If a property’s uncleanliness is to such an extreme, a real estate valuer will factor this into their valuation.

Summary:

In general, you will not have to clean your house before a valuation as it should not have any effect on its market value. A simple cleanup will be appreciated. It will also guarantee nothing embarrassing or private is seen in the valuation report’s photos.

If your home or property has been seriously neglected and is unclean to the point that it will affect prospective buyers, then a valuer will take this into consideration. This is likely the only circumstance where not cleaning your house could affect your valuation.

For more about how to prepare your home for a valuation, ask a member of our helpful and knowledgeable team. If you have any concerns about what could affect your property valuation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can offer some guidance and clarification, specific to your valuation purpose and your home.