APPRAISER SERVICES & THE APPRAISAL PROCESS

If you are planning to sell your home, it might be a wise decision to make a small investment in a professional appraisal.  Unless you study real estate values on a day to day basis, like a professional appraiser does, it's difficult for you to get a handle on real estate values.  We aren’t talking about how much you have invested in your home, how much you paid for it, or how much you want for it.  We’re talking about the true market value of your home, which could really pay off for you in the long run!

SELLING YOUR HOME FSBO
More and more homeowners today are choosing to sell their homes FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and foregoing the help of a real estate agent.  Selling your home by this method can end up saving you a potential commission (industry average is 5-7% of the home’s selling price) but should be throughly considered beforehand, due to the process that is involved. Selling your home on your own will require a significant amount of "homework" if you're going to do it right.  One piece of advice that is consistently given by the experts in selling your home FSBO....Do NOT "Overprice" Your Home! It's very hard to be objective about your own home because of your emotional attachment to it.  A professional appraiser is objective and will tell you what you need to know.

Many people are surprised when they find out that the market value of their home is much more than they thought, so investing in a professional appraisal actually allowed these people to receive several thousand more dollars than they thought they would when their home was sold.  Others have an inflated opinion of their home's value and an appraisal helped them to realistically price their home in order for it to sell.  An overpriced home will not attract buyers, which means no offers and no closing and that you have wasted valuable time, money, and efforts.

• Be a very valuable negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer
• Impress buyer’s with written proof of your home’s condition inside and out
• Make you aware of problems and eliminate last-minute repair hassles that might delay a closing
• Decrease the chances of unknown problems that cause sales to fall through
• Eliminate the wait for the buyer or their mortgage company to get the appraisal done on their own

CONSULTATION
Maybe you feel like you don't need an "appraisal" but you'd still like some help gathering local property and sales data.  Our reports help you to make an informed buying decision. We understand the complexities of buying a home and know what you are going through and will do our best to make it easier for you by giving you a high quality, professional appraisal that you can depend on!

When you order an appraisal report from us, you can expect. . . .

• Prompt response to your initial inquiry: We will give you personalized information for your particular appraisal need. Just tell us your situation and we will make suggestions. Quick turnaround time: Typically one week or less from the date the request is received. If you've chosen to receive a copy of your appraisal or consulting report via the Internet (EDI), you'll receive it within MINUTES of its completion.
• Appraisal and consulting reports formats to suit YOUR needs: When it comes to appraisal and consulting, "One size does NOT fit all!" We offer a variety of report types and delivery methods. Express mail too slow? We can deliver your report attached to a standard email, or notify you of an Internet site to download your report, the MINUTE it's completed!
• Quick response to follow-up questions: Our reports are clearly written, understandable, and meet or exceed the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice that governs the appraisal practice. If you have any questions regarding your appraisal, after you've read the report, we encourage you to email or call us!

THE APPRAISAL PROCESS

After an order has been received by a financial institution or homeowner, the appraisal office will contact the homeowner to set an appointment time that is convenient for the homeowner and appraiser.

Appraisers go through homes everyday and will look beyond the dust and majority of clutter. Cleaning your home is not necessary, but always a good idea. The appraisers job is determine the overall condition of the house and its amenities. Repair any minor problems such as leaky faucets, broken knobs or other cosmetic issues.

The appraiser is responsible for viewing all areas of the home. Make sure all rooms are accessible and that animals that might be threatened by strangers are contained so the property can be viewed. Documented information on easements, agreements or encroachments associated with property are helpful. Any major improvements like a new roof, replacement windows, upgraded kitchen or bathrooms will help in the value of your home.  

Upon arrival at the residence the appraiser will do a initial walk-through to determine the overall condition of the home and the quality of any improvements. Measurements will be taken from the exterior of the home to verify square footage and note the floorplan to later draw the sketch. Interior and exterior photos will be taken. The interior photos are taken as evidence to the lender that the interior was inspected by the appraiser. In addition, they serve as a reminder of the condition and materials that make up the construction of the home. This office makes every attempt not to include personal property in those photos. The photos are included in the appraisal report and only shared with the lender. We will make every attempt not to infringe upon your privacy.

Upon completion of the inspection, the appraiser returns to the office to begin data entry collected during the inspection. Using one of the approaches to value, the appraiser can then reach the best indication of what the property is worth. The appraisal report is approximately 16-20 pages in length.

After completion of the appraisal being reviewed, it is then emailed to the client/lender who ordered the appraisal.