FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A real estate appraisal is a thought process leading to an opinion of value.  This opinion or estimate is arrived at through a formal process that typically uses the three “common approaches to value”.  They are the Cost Approach – which is what it would cost to replace the improvements, less physical deterioration and other factors, plus the land value.  There is the Sales Comparison Approach – which involves making a comparison to other similar, nearby properties which have recently sold.  The Sales Comparison Approach is normally the most reliable and best indicator of value for a residential property.  The third approach is the Income Approach, which is of most importance in appraising income producing properties – it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.
Gathering data is one of the primary roles of a real estate appraiser.  Data can be divided into Specific and General.  Specific data is gathered from the home itself.  Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection. General data is gathered from a number of sources.  Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide data on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables.  Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market.  Flood zone data is gathered from FEMA data outlets.  And most importantly, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her past experience in creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.
Anytime the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps.  If you are selling your home, a real estate appraisal helps you set the most appropriate value.  If you are buying, it makes sure you do not overpay.  If you are engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly.  A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns.  Knowing it’s true value means you can make the right financial decisions.
PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance.  It insures a lender against loss on homes purchased with a down-payment of less than 20%.  Once equity in the home reaches 20% you can eliminate the PMI and start saving immediately.
The first step in most real estate appraisals is the inspection.  During this process, the real estate appraiser will come to your home and measure it, determine the layout of the rooms inside, confirm all aspects of the home’s general condition, and take several photos of your house for inclusion in the report.  The best thing you can do to help is make sure the real estate appraiser has easy access to the exterior of the house.  Trim any bushes and move any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure.  On the inside, make sure that the real estate appraiser can easily access items like furnaces and water heaters. The following items, if available, will help your real estate appraiser to provide a more reliable appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • A survey of the house and property
  • A deed or title report showing the legal description
  • A recent tax bill
  • A list of personal property to be sold with the house, if applicable
  • A copy of the original plans
Market value or fair market value is the most probable price that a property should bring (will sell for) in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale; the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus.  Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby:  (1) buyer and seller are typically motivated; (2) both parties are well informed or well advised; (3) a reasonable time is allowed for exposure to the open market; (4) payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and (5) the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
In most real estate transactions, the real estate appraisal is ordered by the lender.  While the home buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the real estate appraisal report or any information contained within.  The home buyer is entitled to a copy of the real estate appraisal report – it’s usually included with all of the other closing documents – but is not entitled to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender. The exception of this rule is when a home owner engages a real estate appraiser directly.  In these cases, the real estate appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example.  If not stipulated otherwise, the home owner can use the real estate appraisal for any purpose.
The answer to this is different depending upon the location of the home.  Different markets value amenities differently.  Adding a central air conditioner in Houston, TX may add significant value, while putting one in a home located in Buffalo, NY might not have much impact. As a rule, the most value returned from renovating a home comes in the kitchen.  According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment.  In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home.  Bathrooms were second, returning 85%.
A real estate appraiser provides a professional, unbiased opinion of market value to be used in making real estate decisions.  Real Estate appraisers present their formal analysis in appraisal reports.
There are many reasons to obtain a real estate appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions.  Other reasons for ordering a real estate appraisal include:
  • To obtain a loan
  • To lower your tax burden
  • To establish the replacement cost of insurance
  • To contest high property taxes
  • To settle an estate
  • To provide a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate
  • To determine a reasonable price when selling real estate
  • To protect your rights in a condemnation case
  • Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it
  • If you are involved in a lawsuit