4 Ways To Improve Your Home's Appraisal

East Coast Appraisal Service • March 16, 2023

A home appraisal is one of the best ways to determine a property's market value. Fortunately, you can take several steps to improve your home's appraisal. A higher appraisal value means you can sell your home for a higher price, which can result in a larger profit for you as the seller.

So you must implement a home improvement strategy to improve its appraisal value if you want to sell your home in the near future. Read on to learn four effective ways to do just that so you can get the best possible price for your home.

1. Clean and Declutter

You can clean and declutter as an inexpensive way to increase your home appeal. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to work on your home. A clean interior can make a very good first impression when a prospective buyer comes to inspect your house. The purpose of a good cleaning is to make the buyer imagine themselves living in the house with a neat view.

As you clean your house's interior, do not forget to tidy up your lawn and exterior. Fix any broken or damaged areas or replace them with good-quality materials. Deal with any bushes, trees, and unkempt vegetation that can decrease your curb appeal. Wash your windows, and repaint them if the primary frame material is wood.

2. Increase Usable Square Footage

Extra usable space in an existing home might increase your home's financial appeal as property appraisers base home values on the proportion of livable square feet they include. Thus, you can boost utility and add value to a home if you add a restroom, a master suite, or another area that homeowners might need or use.

Also, you can install a separate mother-in-law suite, as most houses lack this feature. When you go to sell, such an improvement might make your home stand out from the competitors.

Moreover, you can add a single huge mirror to a room to make it appear larger than it is to enhance the square footage of your home visually. You can also switch out heavy closed curtains for vertical blinds or shutters that let in light. You can also add an outdoor space, such as a new conservatory or covered patio, which can add to the value of your home.

3. Install Smart and Eco-Friendly Features

A fantastic approach to reducing your electricity costs is to use energy-efficient lighting, like LED lights. You can connect the lights to an application that you can control and manage remotely.

You can also install double-glazed windows, and eco-friendly appliances can also help you save money on energy and also improve the comfort of your house. Also, update your insulation and add home chargers for electric vehicles. Contemporary homeowners like these features, which might help raise your home's value.

4. Renovate or Upgrade Home Features

An improvement to your kitchen, bathroom, or outside doors might offer a significant return on your investment. Replace your outdated front door with a solid mahogany door with frosted glass to improve your curb appeal quickly.

Depending on the finishes you select, the work you're willing to do yourself, and the degree of improvement these improvements provide over the state of your property now, a kitchen or bathroom makeover can provide a larger return on investment.

You can also increase your home's value with modest kitchen and bathroom renovations, such as replacing an old, stained sink with a new, gleaming stainless model. These improvements can make your house more appealing to other potential purchasers, which will raise the evaluation.

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What Is an IRS Step-Up Appraisal? A Plain-English Guide

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When someone inherits property—whether it’s real estate, stocks, or other assets—one of the most important (and often overlooked) tax concepts is the “step-up in basis.” An IRS step-up appraisal is the process used to determine the fair market value of an asset at the time of the original owner’s death. That value becomes the new tax basis for the heir. Understanding how this works can save—or cost—significant money when the asset is eventually sold. What Does “Step-Up in Basis” Mean? “Basis” is essentially what an asset is worth for tax purposes. Normally, if you buy something, your basis is what you paid for it. But when you inherit property, the IRS allows that basis to be “stepped up” to the asset’s fair market value as of the date of death. Example: A parent buys a home for $100,000 decades ago At the time of their passing, the home is worth $700,000 The heir’s new basis becomes $700,000—not $100,000 If the heir sells the home for $710,000, they only pay capital gains tax on $10,000—not $610,000. That’s the power of the step-up. What Is an IRS Step-Up Appraisal? An IRS step-up appraisal is a formal valuation that establishes the fair market value of an inherited asset as of a specific date—usually the date of death. For real estate, this means a licensed appraiser evaluates: Comparable sales (comps) Property condition Market trends at that time Location and unique characteristics The result is a retrospective appraisal , meaning it determines value as of a past date, not the current market. Why Is It Important? A step-up appraisal is critical for several reasons: 1. Reduces Capital Gains Taxes Without a proper appraisal, the IRS may assume a lower basis, increasing taxable gains when the asset is sold. 2. Provides Documentation If the IRS ever questions the reported value, a professional appraisal serves as defensible evidence. 3. Helps with Estate Planning and Reporting Executors and heirs need accurate values for estate filings and distribution decisions. When Do You Need One? You typically need a step-up appraisal when: You inherit real estate and plan to sell it The estate did not already establish a value for tax purposes Significant time has passed since the date of death There’s potential for IRS scrutiny (high-value assets) Even if you don’t plan to sell immediately, getting the appraisal early can prevent headaches later. Date of Death vs. Alternate Valuation Date Most step-up appraisals use the date of death as the valuation date. However, in some cases, the estate may elect an alternate valuation date (six months later), if it reduces estate taxes. This decision is usually made by the estate’s executor in consultation with tax professionals. What Makes a Good Step-Up Appraisal? Not all appraisals are equal—especially when dealing with the IRS. A reliable step-up appraisal should: Be completed by a state-licensed or certified appraiser Follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Clearly state it is a retrospective appraisal Include strong comparable sales data from the relevant time period Be well-documented and defensible Common Mistakes to Avoid Using current market value instead of date-of-death value Relying on informal estimates (like Zillow) Waiting too long to gather historical data Failing to get an appraisal at all These missteps can lead to disputes or higher taxes. Final Thoughts An IRS step-up appraisal might not be the first thing on your mind after inheriting property, but it plays a major role in determining future tax liability. Getting it right can mean the difference between a manageable tax bill and a costly surprise. If you’ve inherited property—or expect to—it’s worth consulting with a qualified appraiser and tax advisor early in the process. A little diligence upfront can protect you financially down the road.