It’s wild how much weight appraisers put on kitchens and baths compared to things like windows or insulation. I get it—those “wow” spaces are what buyers see first, but honestly, I think it’s a bit short-sighted. Energy-efficient upgrades like new windows might not scream luxury, but they make a home so much more comfortable and cheaper to run. That’s real value, even if it doesn’t show up in the appraisal numbers.
I’ve seen clients pour money into high-end fixtures or trendy tile that appraisers swoon over, while practical improvements get ignored. It’s frustrating, but at least you’re seeing the savings month after month. If you ever do a big kitchen reno, though, document everything—before/after photos, receipts, all that jazz. Sometimes you have to spell out the value for them.
Honestly, I wish appraisals would catch up with what actually matters to homeowners these days... not just shiny cabinets or granite counters.
Energy-efficient upgrades like new windows might not scream luxury, but they make a home so much more comfortable and cheaper to run. That’s real value, even if it doesn’t show up in the appraisal numbers.
Totally agree—my partner and I spent a chunk on triple-pane windows and better insulation, and honestly, our utility bills dropped way more than we expected. The appraiser barely mentioned it, though. If you’re dealing with a low appraisal, have you tried putting together a binder or digital folder with all your upgrades? Photos, receipts, even before/after energy bills. It helped us make our case when we refinanced. Curious if anyone’s had luck getting those “invisible” improvements recognized?
I hear you on the appraisers not really caring about the stuff that actually saves you money month to month. It’s weird—like, you’d think lower bills would count for something, right? When our appraisal came in low, we tried the “binder of proof” thing too. We included every receipt, warranty, and even a spreadsheet showing our utility savings since the upgrades. The appraiser seemed mildly interested but didn’t really adjust the value.
One thing that helped a bit was getting quotes from local contractors showing how much it would cost to bring a similar house up to our energy efficiency level. Not sure if that was a fluke, but the lender at least took a second look.
Has anyone tried getting an energy audit or certification (like Energy Star or HERS) before the appraisal? I’ve heard mixed things about whether that actually bumps up the value, but curious if it’s worth the hassle and cost.
Appraisal Came In Lower Than Expected—Now What?
Yeah, it’s wild how little weight appraisers give to energy efficiency stuff. I totally get the frustration—spent months DIY-ing insulation, new windows, all that jazz, and when the appraiser came through, it was like they barely noticed. I even had a HERS rater come out before the appraisal, thinking it’d make a difference. The report looked super official, but honestly, the appraiser just glanced at it and moved on. Didn’t seem to factor in much.
I’ve heard some folks have better luck if their area has more “green” comps, but around here, most houses are still rocking single-pane windows from the 80s. Maybe if you’re in a market where buyers actually ask about utility bills, it’d help? For us, the only thing that seemed to move the needle was showing contractor quotes for upgrades—like you mentioned. Even then, it was a small bump.
It’s kind of discouraging when you know your place is way cheaper to run than the neighbor’s, but it doesn’t show up in the value. Guess we just have to hope buyers catch on eventually...
Appraisal Came In Lower Than Expected—Now What?
- Been there, and yeah, it’s rough. We put in a ton of work—new roof, upgraded HVAC, even splurged on triple-pane windows. When the appraiser came, I pointed out every upgrade, had receipts ready, even showed before-and-after utility bills. Didn’t seem to matter much.
- The only thing that helped a bit was having a detailed list of improvements with costs. Even then, the bump was minor, like you said.
- I’ve noticed appraisers around here mostly just look at square footage and comps. Energy efficiency stuff is almost an afterthought unless it’s super obvious or common in the area.
- One thing that did help a friend: their agent pulled up a few “green” comps from a neighboring town and made a case for higher value. It worked, but only because the appraiser was open to it. Not everyone gets that lucky.
- Honestly, I think buyers care more than appraisers right now. When we sold last year, folks asked about utility bills and insulation way more than I expected. Maybe the market will catch up eventually... but for now, it’s definitely frustrating.
