Your appraiser will be looking to see that the house and property meet USDA requirements, as well as determining the fair market value based on “comps,” or comparable properties that have recently sold in your area. Some major things they’ll be checking include:
The square footage. Your appraiser will measure this to help determine value.
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
The home’s condition. The USDA requires the home be in livable condition, with a functional roof, foundation, plumbing and wastewater removal system, electrical system, and HVAC systems.
That there is access to the property. The USDA requires that the property be accessible by a paved or all-season road.
Site specifications. The USDA doesn’t permit income-generating structures or pools, and the land can’t be income-generating or worth more than 30 percent above the value of the home. Wells and septic systems must be at least 100 feet from the home.
Local zoning and code compliance. Your house must be in compliance with local and state zoning and code requirements.