{"id":93,"date":"2018-06-15T19:53:26","date_gmt":"2018-06-15T19:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/harrisappraisalcompany.com\/?page_id=93"},"modified":"2025-09-08T13:57:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T18:57:26","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/harrisappraisalcompany.com\/?page_id=93","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Learn everything you need to know about appraisals in our guide. It’s important to understand the difference between appraisers and home inspectors: appraisers determine value and may suggest further inspection, while inspectors identify necessary repairs. Discover the essentials of property valuation and inspection to make informed decisions as a property owner.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Does an Appraiser Do?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The most important part in discerning the worth of a residence, an appraiser makes an unbiased and professional opinion on the value of a property used in a real estate transaction. Appraisers will write a report that shows their investigation of the house.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy Would a Person Need a Home Appraisal<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

There are a lot of reasons to get an appraisal from Jeff or Don with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for purchasing a report include:<\/p>

  • If you are applying for a loan.<\/li>
  • To reduce your property taxes.<\/li>
  • To show the replacement cost of insurance.<\/li>
  • To fight high property taxes.<\/li>
  • To handle an estate.<\/li>
  • To offer you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.<\/li>
  • To determine a reasonable property value when selling real estate.<\/li>
  • To protect your rights in a condemnation case.<\/li>
  • Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.<\/li>
  • If you ever find yourself in a lawsuit.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the Difference Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    Home inspectors do not produce an opinion of value and are not appraisers. A third-party home inspector will inspect the structure of the property, from the roof to the foundation. The typical home inspector’s report will include an evaluation of the integrity of the property’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.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the Difference Between an Appraisal and a Comparative Market Analysis<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    They share nothing in common. The CMA uses market trends to generate most of their business. The appraisal relies on specific proven comparable sales. The appraisal report will also include neighborhood and construction costs. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Being documented and containing a carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.<\/p>

    But the biggest difference is the person creating the report. A CMA is created by a real estate agent who may or may not have a true grasp of the market or valuation concepts. The appraisal is created by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Further, the appraiser is an independent voice, with no vested interest in the value of a home, unlike the real estate agent, whose income is tied to the value of the home.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Does the Appraisal Report Contain?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    Each report must reflect a credible estimate of value and must identify the following:<\/p>

    • The client and other intended users.<\/li>
    • The intended use of the report.<\/li>
    • The purpose of the assignment.<\/li>
    • The type of value reported and the definition of the value reported.<\/li>
    • The effective date of the appraiser’s opinions and conclusions.<\/li>
    • 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.<\/li>
    • All known: easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.<\/li>
    • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.<\/li>
    • The scope of work used to complete the assignment.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter Completing the Report, What Assurance is there that the Value Indicated is Valid?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

      In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must ensure the following:<\/p>

      • That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was appropriate.<\/li>
      • That significant errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.<\/li>
      • That appraisal services were not rendered in a careless or negligent manner.<\/li>
      • That a credible, supportable appraisal report was communicated.<\/li><\/ul>

        Most states require that real estate appraisers are state licensed or certified. The state licensed or certified appraiser is trained to render an unbiased opinion based upon extensive education and experience requirements. To become licensed or certified, appraisers must fulfill rigorous education and experience requirements. In addition, appraisers must abide by a strict industry code of ethics and comply with 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).<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow are Appraisers Certified?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

        Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of coursework, tests and practical experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she is required to take continuing education courses in order to keep the license current.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho do Appraisers Work For?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

        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.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere does an Appraiser get the Information Used to Estimate Value?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

        Gathering data is one of the primary roles of an 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.<\/p>

        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, such as Metro Appraisals’ InterFlood product. And most importantly, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her past experience in creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy do I Need a Professional Appraisal?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

        Anytime 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 helps you set the most appropriate value. If you’re buying, it makes sure you don’t overpay. 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. Knowing its true value means you can make the right financial decisions.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do I get Ready for the Appraiser?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

        The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. 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 the 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 appraiser can easily access items like furnaces and water heaters.<\/p>

        The following Items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:<\/p>