How to get an online appraisal for your home

If you had planned on selling your home before the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic, now is a great time to get those plans back on track. While the New Zealand government looks at how and when to ease the Level 4 lockdown, real estate agents are continuing to conduct property value appraisals online in a bid to help sellers gear up for a return to normal. Here is our guide to how to get an online appraisal for your home.

How are virtual appraisals conducted?

Virtual appraisals are conducted by a qualified agent who will give you information of your property, its value and its most compelling selling points. Before the pandemic and lockdown, agents would physically attend a property to conduct the appraisal. Now, the Real Estate Authority allows in its Code of Conduct for an agent to conduct a virtual assessment in “exceptional circumstances.” 

To get an online appraisal for your home, your agent will ask you to take part in a video call and then walk them through the property. There are many platforms that allow you to video call, such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom and WhatsApp. You will need to show the agent around your home virtually so they can see it clearly and ask you questions about it. While you take the agent on a virtual tour of the property, they will fill in an appraisal form, just as they would if they were attending in person. 

While the Level 4 lockdown prevents open houses, private inspections and moving house, a virtual appraisal is a great way for you to begin the process of selling your property. Having a head start by getting an online appraisal for your home, will help you get your property on the market as soon as the restrictions are eased.