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Executive Appraisal Solutions, LLC. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Executive Appraisal Solutions, LLC. is always willing to address any concerns you might have about appraisals or real estate in ocala and Marion County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
What does an appraiser do?
Why would someone require your services?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Upon completion of the appraisal, how can I have assurance that the value conclusion is veritable?
What does it mean for an appraiser to be licensed?
Who employs appraisers?
Where does Executive Appraisal Solutions, LLC. get the information used to estimate values in Marion 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?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (List of questions)

The procedure of producing an appraisal report deals with an evaluation which forms an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is concluded by a formal method that typically utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to restore the improvements to the home, minus depreciation and physical dilapidation, plus the land value. Another of the processes is the Sales Comparison Approach - which involves finding a comparison to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most definitive and clearest indicator of a liklely sales price for a house. One of the least common approaches in appraising houses is the Income Approach, which is mainly used to determine the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the capital produced by the building.

What does an appraiser do?   (List of questions)

An appraiser produces a fair and credible determination of market value, in the support of real property transactions. Appraisers present their findings in appraisal reports.


Why would someone require your services?   (List of questions)

There are many reasons to order an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for getting an report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • To lower your property taxes.
  • To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove insurance.
  • To challenge inflated property taxes.
  • To settle an estate.
  • To offer you an edge when purchasing real estate.
  • To figure out an honest property value when putting your home on the market.
  • 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 need an appraisal on every house.
  • If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.
If you need more information about the appraisal process, please click here.


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

The appraiser is not a home inspector nor does he/she do a full home inspection. A third-party home inspector will evaluate the structure of the property, from the roof to the bottom. The usual home inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the integrity of the house's heating systems, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

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

To be blunt, it's like comparing broadband and dial-up. The CMA utilizes market trends to generate most of their business. The appraisal depends on similar valid comparable sales. The appraisal report will also include neighborhood 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 creating the report is frankly the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents, who may not have a complete understanding of valuation methods or the entire market, write CMA's. The appraisal is created by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Further, the appraiser is an independent party, with no conditional interest in the value of a home, unlike the agent, who gets a commission based upon the price of the home.

What's in an appraisal report?   (List of questions)

Each report must reflect a believable value opinion and must identify the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • The intended use of the appraisal.
  • The purpose of the assignment.
  • The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
  • The effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.
  • Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible considerations.
  • Any 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.
  • The scope of work considered when completing the appraisal.
For a more comprehensive look at all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


Upon completion of the appraisal, how can I have assurance that the value conclusion is veritable?   (List of questions)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must make sure of the following:
  • The appraisal used an appropriate analysis of the data.

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

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

  • The final appraisal report was understandable, credible and defensible.
There are intense education and experience requirements that must be met in order to achieve the status of "licensed appraiser" in Florida. In addition, appraisers must follow a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for carrying out an appraisal and reporting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (List of questions) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. In general, licensing and certification typically translates to many hours of classroom study, tests and experience working under a supervisory appraiser. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/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 employs appraisers?   (List of questions)

Commonly, appraisers are hired by mortgage lenders to render a value opinion on real estate involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the subject is truly adequate collateral for the loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Executive Appraisal Solutions, LLC. get the information used to estimate values in Marion County or other areas?   (List of questions)

One of the main tasks an appraiser engages in is to compile property data. Data can be divided into Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser while on site.

General data is gathered from a many sources. To find out about recent sales to be used as "comps", we often use the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other courthouse documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property is in a flood zone, so that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And most importantly, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other properties in the same market.


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

If you're involved in some sort of financial decision and the value of your home matters, you'll want an appraisal. For those selling a home, you'll want to figure out a price that gets you the most profit but doesn't leave your home on the market too long; 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 home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.


My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?   (List of questions)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional plan takes care of the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the house is less than the loan balance. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Did you have less than 20% to put down on your mortgage? Contact Executive Appraisal Solutions, LLC. today at 3525723033. You may be able to get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

How do I get ready for the appraiser?   (List of questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the home 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 amenities. The best thing you can do to help is make sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any shrubs and move any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. Indoors, make sure the appraiser can easily access 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:
  • Any information on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
  • List of personal property to be sold with the building.
  • 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, in the event of a pending sale.
  • Most recent real estate tax bill from Marion and or legal description of the property.

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?   (List of questions)

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."



Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?   (List of questions)

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 entitled to a copy of the appraisal - it's usually bundled with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed 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 scenarios, the appraiser may state the purpose of the appraisal; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not noted otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.


Which home renovations add the most to the price?   (List of questions)

Like all things real estate, this is dependent on a home's location. 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 investment. One recent study revealed that putting $20,000 into a kitchen remodel would add about $17,500 to the value of the home - or about an 88% return on investment. Bathrooms weren't far behind, 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.