JS Appraisal has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	JS Appraisal is always prepared to reply to any concerns you might have about appraisals in San Mateo County. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you with your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to need your services?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
Once the assignment has been completed, what assurance is there that the final number is valid?
What goes into an appraiser's certification?
Who do appraisers work for?
Where does JS Appraisal get the data used to estimate values in San Mateo County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?

Define the term "Appraisal" (List of questions)

The process of performing an appraisal consists of an inspection which forms an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which assists the appraiser conclude this opinion or estimate. One of them is the Cost Approach - which is how much it would cost to replace the improvements, minus physical deterioration and other factors, plus the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns making a comparison to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a house. The Income Approach is generally used for figuring out the market value of income-producing properties based on what an investor would pay based on the amount of capital a property would bring in.

Describe what an appraiser does (List of questions)

An appraiser generates an unbiased and well substantiated determination of market value, often in the context of a real estate purchase. Appraisers exhibit their professional investigation in appraisal reports.

What would cause me to need your services? (List of questions)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal from JS Appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for getting an report include:

If you are applying for a loan.
If you would like to reduce your property tax burden.
To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove insurance.
To fight improperly assessed property taxes.
To handle an estate.
To provide you a leg-up when purchasing a home.
To determine a likely property value when selling real estate.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every property.
If you ever find yourself in a civil case.

If you need more information about the appraisal process, please click here.

How is an appraiser different than a home inspector? (List of questions)

Home inspectors do not figure out an opinion of value and are not appraisers. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the accessible structure and appliances of a house, from the top to the bottom. Generally, a home inspection report will discuss the amenities and the requirements 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, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)? (List of questions)

Frankly, they have nothing in common. The CMA relies on indefinite local market trends. The appraisal is based on similar valid comparable sales. Also, the appraisal checks other factors like condition, location and construction prices. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

The credentials of the person behind the report is actually the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents produce 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 something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a flat fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report? (List of questions)

Each appraisal must demonstrate a credible value opinion and should clearly state the following:

The client and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The appraisal's purpose.
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 characteristics, legal attributes, economic factors, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, 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 the like.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
What was included in the activity of completing the assignment.

For a more detailed view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the assignment has been completed, what assurance is there that the final number is valid? (List of questions)

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

That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was proper.

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

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

The final appraisal report was clear, legitimate and conclusive.

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

(List of questions) Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and practical experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she must then engage in continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who do appraisers work for? (List of questions)

Most of the time, appraisers are hired by mortgage 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.

Where does JS Appraisal get the data used to estimate values in San Mateo County or other areas? (List of questions)

One of the most important activities of an appraiser is to collect data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is collected from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser while on site.

General data is collected from a number of places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have data on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. To double-check actual sales prices, we look at tax records and other public documents. Appraisers often have to report when a property is 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 assimilates general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser? (List of questions)

An appraisal is a worthwhile anytime your home's value is pertinent to some financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine the 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. 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 house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.

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

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI guards the lender in case a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the house is less than what is owed on the loan. Once you reach the point where your home's equity plus the amount you've paid is at least 20% of your loan balance, you can have your PMI dropped.


	Did you secure your mortgage with less than 20% down? Contact JS Appraisal today at (650) 438-0473. You may be able to cancel your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance? (List of questions)

We begin with an inspection of the home. 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. Inside, make sure it is clutter free and that we can access things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any landscaping so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

You can make the inspection go faster and improve the quality of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:

Records on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.
Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.
Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and your well.
Find copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, if the sale is "pending", the purchase agreement.

What does "Market Value" mean? (List of questions)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair 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 has rights to the appraisal report? (List of questions)

For mortgage transactions, the lender requests 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 certainly 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 scenarios, the appraiser may define the purpose of the appraisal; 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.

How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements? (List of questions)

The added value of a particular amenity truly depends on the local market. 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.

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 are right up there with kitchens, yielding 85%. On the contrary, something that may not add value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.