It’s unfortunate that while we live in the information age and have access to all kinds of information, people generally know little about appraisers and what they do. Here are some common questions and answers you may find helpful:
Q: What is a real estate appraisal?
A: An appraisal is a thought process which leads to a value conclusion for real estate.
Q: What does a real estate appraiser do?
A: The fundamental role of an appraiser is to provide a professional opinion, usually an estimate of market value, to be used in making real estate decisions. Appraisers develop appraisal reports that communicate value to another party.
Q: Why would a person need a home appraisal?
A: There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal. The most common reason is for real estate and mortgage transactions. There are a whole host of other reasons as well, such as:
- To obtain a loan
- To contest high property taxes with the intent of lowering your tax burden
- To settle an estate
- For the use of a negotiating tool when selling or purchasing real estate
- To meet IRS requirements
- For divorce purposes
- If you are involved in a lawsuit
- or simply to satisfy curiosity on your home’s market value
Not finding what you want? For more information specific to the appraisal industry, see The Appraisal Institute’s website here. Or, if you like, you can reach out directly through our Contact Us page and we’ll try to answer the questions you may have.