Real Estate

If you’ve ever bought or sold a house, you know the crucial role home appraisers play in the outcome. Even if you haven't had the (sometimes stressful) pleasure of buying or selling a home, you should still familiarize yourself with what a home appraiser does—and how it impacts your bottom line should you ever find yourself closing in on a home sale.

On average, a single-family residential home appraisal will cost between $300 and $500, though that price may go up for larger homes. ...

There are certain issues that appear more often on almost all homes that the average buyer can look for:

1. Grading and drainage: When you first look at the property, check to see if stormwater will drain toward or away from the home. It's easy to see if the yard slopes, but you also need to check the concrete next to the home to make sure it drains as well. Driveways, sidewalks and patios often settle, and the runoff from the concrete drains toward ...