Appraise Metro DC, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Appraise Metro DC, LLC is prepared to reply to any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Springfield and Fairfax County. Contact Appraise Metro DC, LLC today to see how we can help you with your specific valuation problems.

Describe an appraisal
Describe what an appraiser does
Why would someone need a real estate appraisal?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the appraisal has been delivered, how can I have certainty that the final number is legitimate?
How difficult is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Fairfax County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Who actually owns the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?

Describe an appraisal (Return to top)

The process of writing an appraisal deals with an evaluation which leads to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is found through the use of a formal process that usually uses the three main "common approaches to value". One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to replace the improvements to the home, less the age and physical deterioration, plus the land value. The most common approach in finding the likely sales price of a home is the Sales Comparison Approach which concerns figuring a comparison to similar houses close by. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a house. The Income Approach is mainly used for finding the market value of income-producing properties based on what an investor would pay based on the amount of income a property would bring in.

Describe what an appraiser does (Return to top)

An appraiser generates a fair and credible opinion of market value, often in the context of a real estate purchase. Appraisers show their findings in appraisal reports.

Why would someone need a real estate appraisal? (Return to top)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for ordering an appraisal report include:

To receive a loan.
To lower your property taxes.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove PMI.
To challenge inflated property taxes.
To settle an estate.
To provide you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
To determine an honest price when selling real estate.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Return to top)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and does not do a full home inspection. The point of a home inspection is to investigate the structure of the house from basement to rooftop. Commonly, a home inspection report will evaluate the amenities and the requirements of the property: 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, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)? (Return to top)

Simply put, it's like comparing sugar and saccharin. The CMA depends on vague local market trends. Appraisals use comparable sales which are valid resources. The appraisal report will also include location and construction values. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

Who's behind the report is frankly the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents write CMA's, and they don't always know the whole market or have specific competence when it comes to home valuation. A certified, state licensed professional who made a career on valuing properties in and around Fairfax County is behind the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a flat fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What's in an appraisal report? (Return to top)

The main purpose of an appraisal document is to provide a value opinion, and depending on the scope of the report, one will customarily see the following:

The client and other intended users.
The intended use of the appraisal.
The reason for the assignment.
Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
The effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.(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 description, legal attributes, economic factors, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, items that are more or less permanently installed and even intangible items.
All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
What was involved in the activity of completing the assignment.

Once the appraisal has been delivered, how can I have certainty that the final number is legitimate? (Return to top)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:

That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was suitable.

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

That appraisal services were provided in a careful and judicious manner.

The final appraisal report was clear, legitimate and conclusive.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must fulfill intense education and experience requirements that give us the background to produce an unbiased opinion. In addition, appraisers must obey a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for carrying out an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Return to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers are different from state to state. In general, licensing and certification typically translates to many hours of classroom study, tests and experience working under a supervisor. Once licensed, he or she must then complete continuing education courses so the license stays current. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers? (Return to top)

Most of the time, appraisers are employed by lenders to estimate the value of property involved in a loan transaction. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Fairfax County or other areas? (Return to top)

Compiling information is one of the primary tasks an appraiser engages in. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a number of sources. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have 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 a la mode's InterFlood servers.

And last but not least, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser? (Return to top)

An appraisal is a worthwhile anytime the value of your home is relevant to some financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a price that gets you the most profit but also ensures you don't have to wait too long for a buyer to show up; an appraisal can help with that. 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. Simply put, a home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.

My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that? (Return to top)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This supplemental policy covers the lender if a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the market price of the property is less than the balance of the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.


	Did you secure your mortgage with less than 20% down? Call Appraise Metro DC, LLC today at (703) 828-4946 to see if you can get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment (Return to top)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. What this entails is the appraiser, after setting up an appointment, personally going through the home - recording the layout of the rooms, taking photos and documenting the general condition of its features. On the home's interior, make sure it is clutter free and that we can access things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

To help expedite our work as well as ensure a more accurate report, try if possible to have the following items:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.
Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
A list of any major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (Return to 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."

Who actually owns the appraisal report? (Return to top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. Even though it's the buyer that eventually pays for the report, the lender is the intended user. The buyer is certainly entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not entitled to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these situations, the appraiser may state 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 do whatever they want with the appraisal.

I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating? (Return to top)

A home's location - what city it is in and even what part of that city - is key to this popular question. For example, adding a central air conditioner in to a home in the South may add significant value, while putting one in a home near the Pacific Northwest might not have much impact.

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. 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 were second, yielding 85%. On the contrary, an improvement that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.

We provide Consultation services to help determine what improvements can increase your home's value.

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