Expert: liznarr - 3/31/2010

Question
Hi and thank you so much in advance for taking your time to answer my question. It is a very simple one..
I have 5 acres of country side in Puerto Rico with a gorgeous view to a lake and access too.

My question is:
Would the property/land/acres/lots appraise higher if it is clean? Clean meaning access to scenery not tall grass, etc so the appraiser can see what the land has to offer? or Doesn't really matter?

P.S. My sister said it doesn't, and she appraised the land 2-3 years ago the appraiser saw the land as is so without being cleaned and price it for 350,000
Now 2010 we're ready to put it on the market and I don't want to spend the $ cleaning it if it really doesn't matter but if it does I'm willing to put the $ to clean the property and get it reappraise..your thoughts please, please...

I hope I didn't make the question to difficult..Thank you so much in advance. can't wait to get your response.
thanks a Million
Sincerely,
Lara Emmanuelli

Answer
Hi Lara,

I apologize for the delay in answering your question.  I have just moved my residential and business locations, and … need I say more?  I can see light at the end of the tunnel now, and there is no train attached.

To answer your question, cleaning up/clearing an area for a view of the lake that your property has access to, in my opinion, will not make your property appraise any higher.  

However, remember that buyers may not be able to visualize the beauty of what you know is there.  If a potential buyer’s first visit to your property is an impressionable view, that could help with a quicker sale.  

For that reason alone, I would suggest providing a view to at least a portion of the scenery by clearing a portion of your land (without an enormous expense) so that potential buyers can see, again, what you know is there.  You do not necessarily have to cut ALL the grass on the property, only enough for potential buyers to see the view … and you should not pay for another appraisal after you do this, unless you just want updated values.

I hope the above helps.  Good luck to you, and feel free to write again if you have additional questions.

Regards,
Elizabeth