Types of flooring

If you are refinancing

No, in most cases, the floor covering will not make a difference in the value of your home. If you are refinancing and your floors are in average overall condition, just clean the flooring and let the appraiser do their job. If the carpet is stained beyond repair, you may consider replacing the carpet that is stained, as the appraiser will request that the stain be corrected or it will decrease the value of your home at the cost of replacing the carpet. If they are small stains, the appraiser may overlook these items. If the flooring is at the end of its economic life cycle and has holes in it from the animals chewing through the carpet, carpet damaged, stained and/or missing, it will impact the value of your home. Most likely, the appraiser will appraise your home "subject to" bring your home up to average condition, which would be to replace the carpet.

If your flooring is dated or the floor covering is an odd color that you don't like, should you replace the floor cover? No, you should not replace the floor covering for the appraisal. The appraiser will not adjust for personal preferences of carpet color, wall color or home color.

If you are buying a home

Look in every room and move the furniture around to be sure that the carpet and/or the flooring is not damaged. I've been to several homes when the owner has purchased the home, only to find out later that the floor cover was damaged, but it was hidden by furniture. If the owner has advertised that there is hardwood flooring under the carpet, most likely you just don't know what you'll find once you remove the carpet. Many times the carpet was placed over the hardwood flooring because they were damaged at some time. So if you are thinking that you are buying hardwood flooring or another type of flooring, I'd think twice about it, because you will probably be surprised.

If you are selling your home