Appraisal House has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Appraisal House is always more than happy to reply to any questions you might have about appraisals in Dallas and Dallas County. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you with your specific valuation problems.

Describe an appraisal
What does an appraiser do?
Why would someone need services from Appraisal House?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the assignment is done, what assurance is there that the value indicated is trustworthy?
How are appraisers certified?
Who employs appraisers?
Where does Appraisal House get the data used to estimate values in Dallas County or other areas?
Why do I need a professional appraisal?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment
What does "Market Value" mean?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?

Describe an appraisal (Top)

An appraisal report is an investigation that concludes with an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is discerned by using a formal method that generally utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to restore the improvements to the property, minus age and physical deterioration, plus the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns finding a comparable analysis to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. Generally speaking, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most definite indicator of market value of a residential property. The Income Approach is primarily used for finding the market value of income-producing properties based on what an investor would pay based on the amount of capital a property produce.

What does an appraiser do? (Top)

An appraiser forumlates a professional, unbiased assessment of market value, in the support of real estate exchanges. Appraisers illustate their findings in appraisal reports.

Why would someone need services from Appraisal House? (Top)

There are a lot of reasons to order an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for getting an appraisal include:

To obtain a loan.
To lower your property taxes.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove PMI.
To fight inflated property taxes.
To handle an estate.
To give you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
To find a likely price when listing your home.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.

Click here for a more detailed explanation of the process dealing with getting an appraisal.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Top)

Home inspectors do not come to an opinion of value and do not use the same forms as appraisers. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the available structure and appliances of a house, from the roof to the bottom. Commonly, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the necessities of the home: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical services, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)? (Top)

Frankly, it's apples and oranges. The CMA uses market trends to conduct most of their business. Appraisals use comparable sales which are verifiable resources. Area and building prices are also important in an appraisal. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the most significant factor is the person creating the report. Real estate agents write CMA's, and they don't always know the whole market or bear specific competence when it comes to home valuation. The appraisal is created by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a flat sum for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What's in an appraisal report? (Top)

The main point of an appraisal report is to give a value opinion, and depending on the scope of the report, you'll usually see the following:

The client and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
The intended use of the appraisal.
The purpose of the appraisal.
Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
The effective date of the appraisal.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical attributes, legal attributes, economic factors, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible factors.
All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
The scope of work considered to complete the appraisal.

For a more in depth view of all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the assignment is done, what assurance is there that the value indicated is trustworthy? (Top)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must make sure of the following:

That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was appropriate.

Whether individually or collectively, there were no significant errors contained in the appraisal, nor any material details left out.

That appraisal services were not conducted in a careless or negligent manner.

The final appraisal report was easy to explain, sound and defensible.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must satisfy extensive education and experience requirements that prepare us to produce an unbiased opinion. Plus, appraisers must obey a stringent industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for developing an appraisal and reporting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Top) Licensing and certification requires classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he or she is required to engage in continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who employs appraisers? (Top)

Typically, appraisers are hired by lenders to estimate the value of a home involved in a loan transaction. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Appraisal House get the data used to estimate values in Dallas County or other areas? (Top)

Compiling data is one of the primary functions of an appraiser. Data can be divided into Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a numerous places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide data on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. To double-check actual sales prices, we research tax records and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property lies in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And most importantly, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

Why do I need a professional appraisal? (Top)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. If you're selling your home, an appraisal will help you determine the most appropriate price. When buying, be sure you're not overpaying by commissioning an independent appraisal. If you're 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. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it? (Top)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This supplemental policy protects the lender in case a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the market price of the house is lower than the loan balance. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.


	The amount you keep from cancelling the PMI required when you got your mortgage will make up for the price of the appraisal in a matter of months. Nobody is more qualified than Appraisal House when it comes to analyzing real estate appreciation in Dallas and Dallas County. Contact us today.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment (Top)

We begin with an inspection of the property. During this process, the 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 we have easy access to the exterior of the house (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any bushes and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure the appraiser can get to appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:

Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees .
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

What does "Market Value" mean? (Top)

In real estate appraising, Market Value is commonly defined as:

"The most probable price (in terms of money) which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and 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: the buyer and seller are typically motivated; both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests; a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and 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."

Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer? (Top)

For mortgage transactions, the lender orders the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

The exception to this rule is when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these cases, the appraiser may define how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.

Which home renovations add the most to the price? (Top)

This really depends on where the home is. For example, if you live in a cold region, insulated windows can be a real plus. But they aren't as attractive in a warm-weather climate.

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 are right up there with kitchens, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also increase the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.