Yeah, that's a good call. Had something similar happen to me a couple years back—appraiser missed some key upgrades entirely. Once I pointed them out with receipts and pics, the value nudged up noticeably. Appraisers aren't always thorough, unfortunately...
Had a similar experience myself—it's surprising how often appraisers overlook details that seem obvious to us. To be fair, they're juggling multiple properties and tight deadlines, but still... accuracy matters. I've found it helps to proactively highlight upgrades or unique features upfront, almost like you're guiding them gently toward the right valuation. A bit tedious, sure, but worth the effort if it means getting a fair appraisal.
"I've found it helps to proactively highlight upgrades or unique features upfront, almost like you're guiding them gently toward the right valuation."
Yeah, that's a good point... I once had an appraiser completely miss the custom-built shelving and cabinetry I spent weeks on. Wonder if they're trained to spot DIY stuff or just gloss over it?
Appraisers probably aren't actively trained to spot DIY specifically, but they're definitely human and can overlook stuff. A few things I've learned:
- DIY projects sometimes blend in too well—ironically, good craftsmanship can hurt visibility.
- Gently pointing out features beforehand does help (like you said), but don't overdo it... subtlety is your friend.
- Photos or a brief list of upgrades handed directly to the appraiser can make a difference.
"I once had an appraiser completely miss the custom-built shelving and cabinetry I spent weeks on."
Been there myself—built-in window seating totally ignored. Lesson learned!
I've had this happen more times than I care to admit—appraisers missing stuff that took me ages to build. One thing I've learned is that appraisers are usually working on a tight schedule, so they're often just checking off boxes and moving quickly.
If it's something subtle—like built-ins or custom trim work—I make it a point to casually mention it during the walkthrough without sounding like I'm selling a used car. For example, I'll say something like, "You wouldn't believe how long those built-ins took... glad they're finally done." Usually gets them to at least pause and take notice.
Also, putting together a quick one-page summary with before-and-after pics really helps. Not a full-on scrapbook or anything overboard, just enough to jog their memory when they're writing up the report later.
But honestly, sometimes even after all that effort, things still get missed. It's frustrating but part of the game. If it's a big discrepancy though, you can always request a reconsideration and provide supporting documentation. Doesn't always work out—but worth trying if you're significantly undervalued.
