7 Smart Ways to Get the Best Home Appraisal for Your Ontario Home

If you’re a homeowner in Ontario planning to sell your property or refinance your mortgage, one of the biggest steps in the process is getting a home appraisal. The appraiser’s opinion of your home’s value can significantly impact your selling price, refinancing options, and overall financial outcome.

Here’s the good news: while you can’t control the housing market, there’s a lot you can do to make sure your home looks its best and earns the highest possible appraisal. In this guide, we’ll cover seven proven, practical strategies tailored specifically for Ontario homeowners.

1. Focus on Curb Appeal — First Impressions Matter

Your home’s exterior is the first thing an appraiser sees, and that initial impression sets the tone for everything that follows. Improving curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive — small, thoughtful touches can make a big difference.

Quick curb appeal tips:

• Keep the lawn mowed and hedges neatly trimmed
• Power wash driveways, walkways, and siding
• Add seasonal plants or fresh mulch for a pop of colour
• Touch up paint on doors, windows, and trim
• Ensure the house number is clearly visible and clean

For Ontario homeowners, curb appeal is even more important during spring and summer, when buyers are actively looking and appraisers are busy. A neat, well-kept exterior signals pride of ownership, which positively influences the appraiser’s perception of value.

2. Take Care of Essential Repairs

Small maintenance issues may seem insignificant to you, but to an appraiser, they can signal poor upkeep — and that can lower your home’s value. Before your appraisal, walk through your house and make a list of minor repairs that can be handled quickly.

Repairs to prioritize:

• Fix leaky faucets, running toilets, and squeaky doors
• Replace cracked tiles, broken handles, or worn caulking
• Repair chipped paint, scuffed walls, or damaged baseboards
• Ensure all lights, switches, and outlets work properly

Even these minor updates can make your home feel well-maintained and cared for, which positively impacts your appraisal report.

3. Showcase Your Upgrades and Improvements

If you’ve made any upgrades — big or small — don’t assume the appraiser will notice them all. Create a short, organized list of improvements to share during the appraisal.

Examples of impactful upgrades:

• Kitchen or bathroom renovations
• Energy-efficient windows and doors
• New flooring or modern lighting fixtures
• Roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, or finished basements
• Smart home technology installations

In Ontario, buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient and modernized homes. By highlighting these improvements, you’re helping the appraiser justify a higher valuation for your property.

4. Clean, Declutter, and Brighten Up

Presentation matters. A cluttered or untidy home can make spaces feel smaller and less appealing, which can subconsciously affect the appraiser’s assessment.

Steps to prepare your home:

• Declutter rooms, closets, and hallways to create a sense of space
• Deep clean kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas
• Remove unnecessary furniture to open up living spaces
• Wash windows and open curtains to maximize natural light

While appraisers are trained to focus on structure and condition, a clean and bright home helps them visualize its potential more clearly.

5. Understand Ontario’s Real Estate Market

Every appraisal is influenced by the local real estate market, so staying informed about what’s happening in your area gives you an edge.

Key factors to track:

• Recent selling prices of comparable homes (“comps”) in your neighbourhood
• Seasonal fluctuations — spring often brings higher appraisals due to demand
• Unique local trends, like rapid growth in certain Ontario suburbs

If possible, provide the appraiser with data on comparable homes that support your asking price. While they’ll do their own research, showing that you’ve done yours can help them see the full picture.

6. Be Organized and Helpful During the Appraisal

Making the appraiser’s job easier can lead to a more accurate — and potentially better — outcome.

Here’s what you can do:

• Ensure easy access to every room, basement, attic, and garage
• Secure pets in a safe space so they’re not disruptive
• Provide documentation for upgrades, renovations, and permits
• Share property tax records, floor plans, or recent repair receipts

By proactively supplying this information, you’re giving the appraiser more context to justify your home’s value — especially if you’ve invested in improvements.

7. Keep Your Home’s Documentation Ready

In Ontario, homes with proven upgrades and energy efficiencies often receive better valuations. Keep receipts, permits, and warranties for any improvements you’ve made.

For example:

• Energy Star-certified windows or appliances
• New roofing or insulation upgrades
• Renovations with approved municipal permits

Having organized documentation builds credibility and helps the appraiser accurately factor these investments into your home’s value.

Bonus Tip: Timing Matters

While you can’t control every factor, choosing the right time for an appraisal can sometimes make a difference. Ontario’s housing market tends to be most active in spring and early summer, when demand is highest.

Scheduling your appraisal during a hotter market period can help ensure your property is compared to other homes selling at stronger prices.

Final Thoughts

Getting the best appraisal for your Ontario home isn’t about spending thousands on unnecessary upgrades. It’s about presenting your property at its best, highlighting its strengths, and working with the appraiser to make sure they see its full potential.

By focusing on curb appeal, essential repairs, strategic upgrades, and organized documentation, you can significantly improve your chances of receiving a higher valuation.

And if you’d like more in-depth tips on boosting your home’s value in Ontario, don’t miss this detailed homeowner’s guide.