Sweeting Appraisal Service has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Sweeting Appraisal Service is always ready to talk to you about any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Blowing Rock and Watauga County. Feel free to contact us today.

Describe an appraisal
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons I would need services from Sweeting Appraisal Service?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
After completing the report, how can I have a guarantee that the value indicated is trustworthy?
How hard is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Watauga County or other areas?
How can a licensed appraiser help me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Who actually owns the appraisal report?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?

Describe an appraisal (Go to list of questions)

An appraisal is a thought process allowing the appraiser to come to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is figured by a formal method that typically utilizes three "common approaches to value". One of the methods in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to restore the improvements to the house, less the age and physical dilapidation, adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach deals with finding comparable houses in close proximity and figuring out the value based on comparing those homes to the home in question. Being the most commonly used approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is considered the most precise and best indicator of market value for a home. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is the most important method in appraising income producing properties - it deals with estimating what an investor would pay based on the income generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (Go to list of questions)

An appraiser forumlates a fair and credible determination of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers illustate their expert findings in appraisal reports.

What are the reasons I would need services from Sweeting Appraisal Service? (Go to list of questions)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal from Sweeting Appraisal Service with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for ordering an appraisal report include:

To obtain a loan.
If you would like to lower your property tax obligations.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove insurance.
To contest high property taxes.
If you need to settle an estate.
To offer you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
To figure out a likely sales price when selling real estate.
To protect your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every property.
It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will help.

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

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Go to list of questions)

Appraisers do not do complete house inspections and are not home inspectors. The purpose of a home inspection is to investigate the structure of the property from foundation to attic. Commonly, a home inspection report will discuss the amenities and the necessities of the house: 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)? (Go to list of questions)

Simply put, it's like comparing opera to country. The CMA relies on indistinct local market trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are valid resources. In addition, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, area and construction costs. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Being a documented and carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.

Who's creating the report is actually the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is written 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. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a flat fee for assignments, regardless of their value conclusion.

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

Each report should reflect a supported value opinion and should identify the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The purpose of the appraisal.
The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the value opinion.
Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible factors.
All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
The scope of work considered when completing the assignment.

For a more detailed look at what goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

After completing the report, how can I have a guarantee that the value indicated is trustworthy? (Go to list of questions)

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

The appraisal contained an appropriate analysis of the data.

That grave errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.

That appraisal services were not conducted in a careless or negligent fashion.

The final appraisal report was understandable, legitimate and conclusive.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must fulfill considerable education and experience requirements that enable us to formulate an unbiased opinion. Plus, appraisers must abide by a stringent industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for developing an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Go to list of questions) Licensing and certification requires classroom study, tests and practical experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she is required to complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers? (Go to list of questions)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's most likely customer, needing their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is enough to cover a loan balance in the case of default. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Watauga County or other areas? (Go to list of questions)

One of the most important tasks an appraiser performs is to collect property data. Data can be described as either Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is received from a variety of sources. To research recent sales to be used as "comps", an appraiser will typically go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is retrieved from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And most importantly, the appraiser assimilates general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.

How can a licensed appraiser help me? (Go to list of questions)

An appraisal is a worthwhile anytime your home's value is relevant to some financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to figure out 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. 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 house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.

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

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added policy protects the lender if a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the property is lower than the balance of the loan. Once you can prove the amount you owe on your home is less than 80% of the home's market value, you can make a case to your lender to drop the PMI.


	Does your monthly loan payment have a lineitem for PMI?Call Sweeting Appraisal Service today at (828) 295-4357 or send us an e-mail. A current appraisal could save you thousands.

How do I get ready for the appraiser? (Go to list of questions)

We begin with an inspection of the property. 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 (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any landscaping and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. Indoors, make sure the appraiser can get to appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance easement for a shared driveway.
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.
Any 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.

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (Go to 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 actually owns the appraisal report? (Go to list of questions)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. 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 appraisal - 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 engages 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 stipulated otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others? (Go to list of questions)

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 are right up there with kitchens, yielding 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also help the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.