What Do Appraisers Look For When Determining A Property’s Value?
Most people are surprised to learn what appraisers actually look at when determining the value of a real estate property. A common misconception homeowners generally have is that the value of their home is determined after the appraiser has completed their physical property inspection. However, the appraiser actually already has a good idea of the property’s value by the time they have scheduled an appointment to stop by the property. The good news is that you don’t have to worry so much about pushing back an appointment a few days just to “clean things up” in order to...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Difference Between an Appraisal vs Neighborhood Listing Prices
Why is there such a difference between what my appraised value is and the price similar homes are selling for on my street? It’s a great question, and you don’t have to be a mortgage professional or a real estate agent to understand the answer. The distinction lies in the purpose of the two valuations and who is responsible for creating them. Appraisals: The purpose of an appraisal is to make sure that an independent non-interested third party verifies the “most likely” sale price based on the market value and condition of the home. Appraisals are meant to be a realistic determination...
Read MoreFive Myths About Home Values
During periods of economic growth, when home values are typically just going up, most homeowners do not question appraisals much. And in times of turmoil when property values are declining, home sellers and even listing agents quite often question and pick apart appraisals. However, the actual appraisal process changed very little over the course of the housing boom and bust cycle American homeowners witnessed between 2001 – 2009. Since the topic of home values seems to be a hot discussion, let’s address the top five appraisal myths. Appraisal Myths / Questions: “I just...
Read MoreHow Do Mortgage Companies Value A Property That Has Not Been Built Yet?
It’s obviously easier to picture the process of estimating value on an existing property in a neighborhood that has a history of home sales, but the task of determining the value on new construction projects does pose some challenges. Appraisals on homes that haven’t been built yet generally require the contractor and home buyer to supply more documentation in order to get a more accurate estimate of the property’s value. The main purpose of this article is to give an overview of the appraisal process for a home buyer that is building a home vs purchasing standing...
Read More



