Frequently Asked Questions About The Appraisal Process
What
is an appraisal?
What does an appraiser do?
Why would a person need a home
appraisal?
What
is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
What does the appraisal report
contain?
After
completing the report, what assurance is there that the information is valid?
Who do appraisers work for?
How are appraisers certified?
What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is a thought process leading to a value conclusion.

What does an appraiser do?
The fundamental role of an appraiser is to provide a professional opinion, usually an
estimate of market value, to be used in making real estate decisions. Appraisers develop
appraisal reports that are the conveyance to another of an appraisal.

Why would a person need a home appraisal?
There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal with the most common reason being real
estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for ordering an appraisal include:
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| To obtain a loan.
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| To lower your tax burden.
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| To establish the replacement cost of
insurance.
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| To contest high property taxes.
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| To settle an estate.
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| To provide a negotiating tool when
purchasing real estate.
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| To determine a reasonable price when
selling real estate.
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| To protect your rights in a condemnation
case.
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| Because a government agency such as the
IRS requires it.
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| If you are involved in a lawsuit.
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What is the
difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
The
appraiser is not a home inspector nor does he/she do a complete home inspection. An
inspection is a third-party evaluation of the accessible structure and mechanical systems
of a house, from the roof to the foundation. The standard home inspector's report will
include an evaluation of the condition of the home's heating system, central air
conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems;
the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the
foundation, basement, and visible structure.

What does the appraisal report contain?
Each report
must reflect a credible estimate of value and must identify the following:
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| The client
and other intended users.
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| The
intended use of the report.
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| The
purpose of the assignment.
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| The type
of value reported and the definition of the value reported.
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| The
effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.
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| Relevant
property characteristics, including location attributes, physical attributes, legal
attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, and Non real estate
items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, including trade fixtures and
intangible items
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| All known:
easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts,
declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
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| Division
of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
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| The scope
of work used to complete the assignment.
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After
completing the report, what assurance is there that the information is valid?
In
communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must ensure the following:
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| That the
information analysis utilized in the appraisal was appropriate.
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| That
significant errors of omission or commission were committed neither individually nor
collectively.
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| That
appraisal services were not rendered in a careless or negligent manner.
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| That a
credible, supportable appraisal report was communicated.
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Who do
appraisers work for?
Typically,
appraisers are employed by lenders to estimate the value of real estate involved in a loan
transaction. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and
investment decisions.

How are appraisers certified?
Each state has established its
own requirements for appraisers to be licensed or certified to appraise real
property.

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