I dunno, I feel like appraisers usually play it super safe, especially now with banks tightening up. Last time I refinanced, the guy barely glanced at my upgrades and just went off comps. Maybe it’s less random and more about them covering their bases?
That’s a pretty common experience lately. Appraisers are definitely leaning hard on comps, especially with banks being extra cautious. They’re really just trying to minimize risk for the lender. Did your upgrades match what’s typical in your area, or were they more unique? Sometimes if the upgrades aren’t common in the comps, they don’t get much weight. It can feel a bit frustrating, especially when you’ve put a lot into your place.
I’ve noticed that too, and it’s kind of frustrating when you’ve spent money on upgrades that don’t seem to register with the appraiser. I get that banks are playing it safe, but sometimes it feels like even energy-efficient improvements or custom features don’t really factor in unless they’re super common in the neighborhood. Has anyone actually seen a bump in appraised value from less typical upgrades, like solar panels or smart home stuff? Or is it mostly kitchens and bathrooms that move the needle?
Honestly, I’ve run into this a bunch. We did a project last year where the owner put in solar panels and a full smart home setup—think automated blinds, security, the works. Appraiser came through, and it barely made a dent in the value. Meanwhile, a neighbor down the street redid their kitchen with mid-range finishes and got a way bigger bump. It’s kind of wild.
In my experience, unless those upgrades are everywhere in the area, appraisers just don’t give them much weight. Kitchens and baths are still king because buyers expect to see those updated. Energy efficiency stuff is great for long-term savings, but it’s not always reflected in the appraisal. Sometimes you get a little credit for solar if you’re in a market that really values it, but it’s not consistent. It can be pretty frustrating when you know how much those systems cost... but the numbers just don’t add up on paper.
