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Home Appraisal Checklist: Owner Prep for a Visit (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable owner prep for a US residential appraisal visit: access, photos, documents, safety, obvious condition, and additions. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Buying & selling Fillable form · 7 sections · 41 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against Fannie Mae, HUD, NAR, and InterNACHI · Last verified Sep 1, 2026

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Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is owner and agent prep for a US residential appraisal visit: access, photos, a document file, safety, obvious condition, and additions or permits if known. It is not the appraisal, not Fannie Mae Form 1004, and not a C1 to C6 condition rating. Mark N/A on items the house or loan type does not have.

  • 7 sections
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Form details

Property

This is a practical prep template, not the appraisal, not legal advice, and not an official Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, or state form. Conventional and FHA visits are not the same. Record the loan type so later stations stay accurate.

10 fields
Property

Inspection station

Access and photos

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06 requires a complete visual inspection of accessible interior and exterior areas. HUD 4150.2 Appendix D requires full access, including attic and crawl, and says the appraiser is not required to move furniture, stored items, or debris. Clear paths yourself. Mark N/A on spaces the house does not have, or on a desktop visit with no interior inspection.

9 items
Access and photos

Kitchen, baths, living rooms, and bedrooms can be photographed

Fannie Mae B4-1.2-01 requires interior photos of the kitchen, all bathrooms, main living areas, and all bedrooms. Move stored items that hide those rooms. You do not need a staged magazine look. The appraiser still takes the photos.

Kitchen, baths, living rooms, and bedrooms can be photographed: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Finished and unfinished below-grade rooms are reachable

Fannie Mae B4-1.2-01 also requires photos of below-grade areas, finished and unfinished. Open the basement or lower-level door. Do not invent a square-footage Pass or Fail. The appraiser measures.

Finished and unfinished below-grade rooms are reachable: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Attic hatch, stairs, or scuttle is clear for head-and-shoulders view

HUD 4150.2 Appendix D: for FHA, the attic must be entered at least by head and shoulders, whether by pull-down stair or scuttle. Size of the opening dictates how far they go. HUD also says the appraiser is not required to disturb insulation. Conventional Fannie Mae text is a visual inspection of accessible areas, not a mandated crawl through every joist bay. Mark N/A if there is no attic.

Attic hatch, stairs, or scuttle is clear for head-and-shoulders view: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Crawl-space opening is clear if the house has a crawl

HUD 4150.2: crawl access should be clear for at least a head-and-shoulders look. Debris should be out of the way. An 18-inch joist-to-ground distance is highly recommended in that protocol, not a mandated Pass or Fail. Fannie Mae does not copy that 18-inch rule. Mark N/A on a slab-only house.

Crawl-space opening is clear if the house has a crawl: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Front, back, and street scene are not blocked

Fannie Mae B4-1.2-01 requires clear color photos of the front, back, and a street scene. Move cars, trash bins, and locked gates that hide the facade or the street. HUD 4000.1 also requires safe pedestrian access and adequate vehicular access from a public or private street.

Front, back, and street scene are not blocked: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Furnace, water heater, panel, and similar closets can be opened

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06: appraisers are not responsible for hidden or unapparent conditions. If a closet is packed, they cannot see the equipment. HUD 4150.2 has the appraiser observe mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems that are in view. Do not pull a panel cover yourself.

Furnace, water heater, panel, and similar closets can be opened: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Pets secured; keys, lockbox, and gates work

InterNACHI SOP 2.2: inspectors are not required to negotiate with pets or enter areas that look unsafe. An appraiser who cannot enter will reschedule. HUD 4150.2: if the appraiser cannot see the improvements in their entirety, they contact the lender and come back. Have a working lockbox or someone on site.

Pets secured; keys, lockbox, and gates work: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Utility status is known: on, off, or not needed for this visit type

Fannie Mae does not require utilities to be on at a conventional inspection. HUD 4150.2: if a vacant house has utilities off, the FHA report may be conditioned on a re-inspection once they are on. Those are not the same rule. Do not mark Needs work solely because a conventional visit has power off. Write on or off in Notes. Mark N/A on a desktop assignment.

Utility status is known: on, off, or not needed for this visit type: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Garage, ADU, and other structures on the parcel can be entered

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05 treats accessory units and outbuildings as part of the improvements description. HUD 4000.1 living-unit rules apply to each unit that is part of the collateral. Mark N/A if none exist.

Garage, ADU, and other structures on the parcel can be entered: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

File and documents

NAR says owners and agents may share factual, documented information. Fannie Mae Appraiser Independence Requirements forbid requesting or stating a desired value or value range. The lender, not the owner, must provide the ratified sales contract on a purchase (B4-1.1-05). Mark N/A on refinance items that do not apply.

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File and documents

Purchase: lender will provide the ratified contract and addenda

Fannie Mae B4-1.1-05: the lender must provide, or ensure the appraiser is provided with, a complete ratified sales contract and all addenda. AIR also allows the sales contract after the appraiser is engaged. Confirm with the lender or AMC. Mark N/A on a refinance.

Purchase: lender will provide the ratified contract and addenda: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Written list of major improvements with year completed

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: the appraisal must comment on needed repairs, additional features, and modernization. NAR: share information that is factual and supportable. List roof, HVAC, kitchen, baths, windows, additions, and similar work with dates. Receipts help. Do not write a claimed market value next to the list.

Written list of major improvements with year completed: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Permits, certificates of occupancy, or a note that none were found

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05 Additions without Permits: if the appraiser identifies an addition without the required permit, they must comment on quality, appearance, and any effect on market value. Gather what you have. If you do not know, write unknown. Do not invent a permit Pass or Fail.

Permits, certificates of occupancy, or a note that none were found: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Survey, plot plan, or recorded legal description if you have one

HUD 4000.1: the appraiser reviews surveys or legal descriptions if available. HUD 4150.2 lists surveys or plot plans as supporting documentation for site issues. Hand over a copy if you have one. Mark N/A if none exists.

Survey, plot plan, or recorded legal description if you have one: Done, Needs work, or N/A

HOA or condo fees, covenants, and special assessments if applicable

Fannie Mae B4-1.1-05 requires disclosure of condo or PUD fees. B4-1.2-01 Form 1004 for detached condos also expects HOA fee and project-maintenance information. Mark N/A if there is no association.

HOA or condo fees, covenants, and special assessments if applicable: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Private street or shared-driveway papers if the lot is not on a public street

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-04: a community-owned or privately maintained street generally needs a recorded maintenance agreement. HUD 4000.1: private streets and shared driveways must be protected by permanent recorded easements, ownership interest, or HOA maintenance. Mark N/A on a typical public street.

Private street or shared-driveway papers if the lot is not on a public street: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Well, septic, or off-site utility agreements if not on public water and sewer

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-04: private well or septic must be on site, or there must be a legally binding access and maintenance agreement. HUD 4000.1 has separate well-testing and shared-well rules. Do not collect the water sample yourself if FHA testing is required. Mark N/A on public water and sewer.

Well, septic, or off-site utility agreements if not on public water and sewer: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Optional factual comps: closed sales, not a requested value

NAR: agents may provide factual comparable information. Fannie Mae B4-1.3-07: data from a party with a financial interest must be verified with a disinterested source. AIR forbids providing comparable sales before the appraiser is engaged, and forbids a desired value or value range. After engagement, a short list of recent closed sales with addresses is factual. The appraiser still selects the comps. Do not attach an old appraisal as a target number.

Optional factual comps: closed sales, not a requested value: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Energy features listed if they stay with the house

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: special energy-saving items belong in Additional features (solar, low-e windows, tankless water heater, and similar). Leased solar under a third-party power-purchase agreement is personal property and is not included in appraised value. Note owned versus leased. Mark N/A if none.

Energy features listed if they stay with the house: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Safety and obvious hazards

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06: deficiencies that affect safety, soundness, or structural integrity are appraised subject to repair. HUD 4000.1 Minimum Property Requirements: FHA collateral must be safe, sound, and secure. This station is owner-visible hazards, not a licensed inspection and not a C1 to C6 rating.

8 items
Safety and obvious hazards

No obvious condition that would keep the house from being used as a dwelling

Fannie Mae: a C6 rating is for deficiencies severe enough to affect safety, soundness, or structural integrity, and C6 loans are not eligible until repaired to at least C5. You are not assigning that rating. If a floor is open, a wall is failing, or the house looks uninhabitable, mark Needs work and write what you see.

No obvious condition that would keep the house from being used as a dwelling: Done, Needs work, or N/A

No exposed or hanging electrical wiring in living areas

HUD 4150.2: examine the electrical system for visible frayed wiring or exposed wires in living areas. Fannie Mae treats conditions that affect safety as subject-to-repair items. Cover plates and hanging Romex in rooms belong here. Do not open the panel.

No exposed or hanging electrical wiring in living areas: Done, Needs work, or N/A

No active plumbing leak, standing water, or sewage backup you can see

HUD 4150.2: plumbing is observed for leaks and foul odors. Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06 lists minor plumbing leaks among deferred maintenance that often does not require a repair for eligibility, while dampness that threatens structure is a different issue (Infestation, Dampness, or Settlement). An active flood or sewage line is Needs work. A slow sink drip can be noted as minor.

No active plumbing leak, standing water, or sewage backup you can see: Done, Needs work, or N/A

No obvious dampness, abnormal settlement, or active infestation

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06 Infestation, Dampness, or Settlement: the appraisal must comment on effect to value and marketability, and the lender may require repair or a professional report. HUD 4150.2: excessive dampness or ponding in a basement or crawl is a repair or inspection condition. Hairline cracks are common. Horizontal cracks, bulging walls, or a sill pulled off the wall are more serious. You are not the engineer.

No obvious dampness, abnormal settlement, or active infestation: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Yard water does not sit against the foundation

HUD 4150.2 Grading and Drainage: positive drainage away from the improvements, gutters and downspouts or grading that diverts water. Standing water next to the house is a problem to fix before an FHA visit when you can. Do not invent a slope-percentage Pass or Fail unless you measured.

Yard water does not sit against the foundation: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Pre-1978 FHA: peeling or chipping paint on the house and improvements is addressed

HUD 4150.2 Lead Based Paint: for FHA, structures built before January 1, 1978 need defective paint (peeling, scaling, or chipping) corrected under 24 CFR Part 35. Conventional Fannie Mae does not copy that FHA paint rule as a universal repair. Mark N/A on a post-1978 house or a conventional visit where this is not the lender's issue.

Pre-1978 FHA: peeling or chipping paint on the house and improvements is addressed: Done, Needs work, or N/A

No obvious on-site hazard you already know about (wells, tanks, overhead lines)

HUD 4000.1: overhead transmission lines must not pass directly over a dwelling or pool; abandoned wells and environmental hazards have separate clearance rules. Fannie Mae B4-1.1-05: the lender must disclose environmental hazards it knows about. Write what you know. Mark N/A if none apply.

No obvious on-site hazard you already know about (wells, tanks, overhead lines): Done, Needs work, or N/A

Pool or spa, if present: local-ordinance items you can see (cover, fence) are in place

HUD 4000.1: swimming pools must comply with all local ordinances. There is no single federal fence-height Pass or Fail on this form. Mark N/A if there is no pool. Do not invent a statewide barrier rule.

Pool or spa, if present: local-ordinance items you can see (cover, fence) are in place: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Obvious condition

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06: the appraiser identifies items that need immediate repair and items of deferred maintenance. Worn floor finishes, holes in window screens, missing handrails, and cracked window glass are listed as typical minor conditions that generally do not rise to a required repair. Fix what you can. Do not treat those examples as a C1 to C6 radio on this form.

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Obvious condition

Obvious broken glass, missing screens, or similar minor items are noted or fixed

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06 As Is: those examples are minor deferred maintenance. They must still be reported. Repairing them before the visit can avoid a messy photo. They are not, by themselves, a Fannie Mae eligibility fail.

Obvious broken glass, missing screens, or similar minor items are noted or fixed: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Roof covering viewed from the ground: no obvious missing pieces or active leak stains

HUD 4150.2: identify roofing material and observed condition. Fannie Mae photos include examples of physical deterioration if present. You are not walking the roof. Mark Needs work if you can see bare spots or ceiling stains from a leak. Mark N/A if snow or trees hide the roof.

Roof covering viewed from the ground: no obvious missing pieces or active leak stains: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Kitchen is visible and not used as storage

Fannie Mae B4-1.2-01 requires a kitchen photograph. HUD 4000.1 living-unit criteria include kitchen facilities with a sink and a stove hookup. Clear the counters enough to show the room. Remaining appliances that convey may be observed; Fannie Mae does not turn this visit into an appliance inspection.

Kitchen is visible and not used as storage: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Each bathroom is visible; toilets and a representative faucet can be used if water is on

Fannie Mae requires photos of all bathrooms. HUD 4000.1: every living unit must have at least one bathroom. HUD 4150.2: flush toilets and operate a representative number of faucets when the system is on. Mark N/A on extra baths that do not exist.

Each bathroom is visible; toilets and a representative faucet can be used if water is on: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Heat source is present; operate it only if it is already in service

HUD 4000.1: heating adequate for healthful living. HUD 4150.2: the FHA appraiser turns systems on and observes performance when they can. Fannie Mae does not require utilities on. Do not light a pilot you do not know. Mark N/A if heat is off for a conventional visit or the season makes a cooling test unsafe.

Heat source is present; operate it only if it is already in service: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Walks, steps, and exterior doors are usable

HUD 4000.1 requires safe pedestrian access. Fannie Mae B4-1.3-06 lists missing handrails as minor deferred maintenance, not an automatic required repair. A collapsed stair is different. Write what you see.

Walks, steps, and exterior doors are usable: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Recent updates can be seen (or you noted there were none)

Fannie Mae B4-1.2-01: interior photos must include examples of recent updates such as restoration, remodeling, and renovation, if present. Leave lights on. Do not cover new work with boxes. The appraiser, not you, chooses Updated versus Remodeled versus Not Updated.

Recent updates can be seen (or you noted there were none): Done, Needs work, or N/A

Stored goods are not hiding walls, floors, or the exterior

HUD 4150.2: the appraiser is not required to move personal items, furniture, or debris that obstructs access or visibility. InterNACHI is not required to move stored items. If the appraiser cannot see a room, that room is not fully inspected. This is access, not staging.

Stored goods are not hiding walls, floors, or the exterior: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Additions, conversions, and permits

Do not invent a gross-living-area Pass or Fail. Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05 requires ANSI Z765-2021 for above- and below-grade area on interior-and-exterior appraisals. Tax records, MLS, and your own tape are not that measurement. Tell the appraiser what was added. They measure.

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Additions, conversions, and permits

Room additions, enclosed porches, and similar extra space are identified

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: if an addition lacks the required permit, the appraiser comments on quality, appearance, and any effect on value. Point to the addition. Write year built if you know it.

Room additions, enclosed porches, and similar extra space are identified: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Permit status for those additions is recorded (have, none, or unknown)

Same Fannie Mae additions-without-permits rule. HUD treats illegal use under zoning as an eligibility issue. Local permit rules vary by city. This line is a file note, not a code inspection.

Permit status for those additions is recorded (have, none, or unknown): Done, Needs work, or N/A

Finished basement or other below-grade rooms are labeled as below grade

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: a level is below grade if any portion of it is below grade, regardless of finish or windows. Walk-out finished rooms are not above-grade GLA. Do not add basement square footage to the GLA you tell the appraiser. They will report it on the basement line.

Finished basement or other below-grade rooms are labeled as below grade: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Garage conversion, in-law suite, or ADU is identified if present

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: an ADU is additional living area with living, sleeping, cooking, and bath, reported separately from primary above-grade GLA unless it is inside the main dwelling with interior access and above grade. HUD 4000.1 likewise keeps ADU area out of primary GLA. Mark N/A if none.

Garage conversion, in-law suite, or ADU is identified if present: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Unfinished attic, bonus shell, or similar space is not presented as finished GLA

Fannie Mae ANSI policy: unfinished area is reported as unfinished. Nonstandard finished area (ceiling height or access through unfinished space) is reported separately. Do not hand the appraiser a tax GLA as if it were ANSI GLA.

Unfinished attic, bonus shell, or similar space is not presented as finished GLA: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Barns, shops, and other outbuildings are listed

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-05: outbuildings need a description. Significant farm-type buildings can raise the question of whether the property is residential. HUD 4000.1 living-unit rules still apply to the dwelling. Mark N/A if none.

Barns, shops, and other outbuildings are listed: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Known zoning or illegal-use issues are written down if you already know them

Fannie Mae B4-1.3-04: the appraisal must say whether use is legal conforming, legal nonconforming, illegal, or no zoning. B4-1.3-05 has extra conditions when an ADU is not allowed under zoning. You are not the zoning officer. Write only what you already know. Mark N/A if you have no such issue.

Known zoning or illegal-use issues are written down if you already know them: Done, Needs work, or N/A

Form details

Remaining work and sign-off

List every Needs work line. Signing this template does not create an appraisal, a warranty, or legal advice. Value opinions belong to the licensed or certified appraiser engaged by the lender.

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Remaining work and sign-off

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References

  1. Property condition, visual inspection of accessible areas, and minor deferred maintenance - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-06
  2. Appraisal exhibits: interior and exterior photographs, floor plan or footprint sketch - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.2-01
  3. Improvements, additions without permits, ADUs, and above- versus below-grade area - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-05
  4. Site access, utilities, private streets, and easements - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-04
  5. Sales contract and property information the lender must disclose to the appraiser - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.1-05
  6. Sales comparison data sources and independent verification of comps - Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-07
  7. Appraiser Independence Requirements: no requested value, factual data after engagement - Fannie Mae AIR
  8. Appraisal FAQs: complete visual inspection of accessible areas; utilities need not be on for conventional - Fannie Mae
  9. FHA Minimum Property Requirements, access, living-unit utilities, and repairs - HUD Handbook 4000.1
  10. FHA Handbook 4000.1 PDF (access, MPR, utility services, living-unit requirements) - HUD
  11. FHA valuation protocol: full access, attic and crawl, not moving stored items, lead paint, mechanicals - HUD Handbook 4150.2 Appendix D
  12. FHA Appraisal Report and Data Delivery Guide (attic and crawl observation refer to Handbook 4000.1) - HUD
  13. Readily accessible attic and crawl space; pets and stored items - InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards of Practice
  14. Factual information owners and agents may share; do not pressure for a value - NAR Effective Communication for Accurate Appraisals
  15. What an appraisal is, agent communication, and reconsideration of value through the lender - NAR Consumer Guide: The Appraisal Process

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