New England Appraisal Services, Inc has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	New England Appraisal Services, Inc is prepared to elaborate on any questions you might have about appraisals in Ludlow and Hampden County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons a person would need services from New England Appraisal Services, Inc?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
Once the report has been delivered, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is veritable?
How hard is it to become certified?
Who hires an appraiser?
Where does New England Appraisal Services, Inc get the information used to estimate values in Hampden County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
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"?
Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?

Define the term "Appraisal" (Top)

The method of writing an appraisal report deals with an estimation which leads to an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the appraiser conclude this opinion or valuation. The Cost Approach is one of the approaches that appraisers use to find value; it involves finding what the improvements would cost less 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 involves concluding a comparison to similar homes close by. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a home. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is of most importance in appraising income producing properties - it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the capital generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (Top)

An appraiser offers a fair and credible determination of market value, in the support of real estate exchanges. Appraisers show their expert investigation in appraisal reports.

What are the reasons a person would need services from New England Appraisal Services, Inc? (Top)

There are a lot of reasons to obtain an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for ordering an appraisal report include:

To receive a loan.
If you would like to reduce your property tax burden.
To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove insurance.
To fight high property taxes.
To deal with an estate.
To offer you a negotiating tool when purchasing a home.
To find the most probable property value when selling real estate.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
If you ever find yourself in a civil case.

If you need a more detailed explanation of the appraisal process, please click here.

Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection? (Top)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and does not do a full home inspection. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the accessible structure and mechanical systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. The usual home inspector's report will include an evaluation of the integrity of the home's heating systems, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and accessible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)? (Top)

Simply, they share nothing in common. The CMA depends on indistinct trends in the market. The appraisal is reliant on similar valid comparable sales. The appraisal report will also include neighborhood and construction values. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

Who's creating the report is hands down 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, create CMA's. A certified, state licensed professional who bases their livelihood on valuing homes in and around Hampden County creates the appraisal. Moreover, the appraiser is an unbiased voice, with no conditional interest in the value conclusion, unlike the real estate agent, who gets a commission based upon the value of the home.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report? (Top)

The main point of an appraisal document is to let the reader know the value of the real estate in question, and depending on the scope of the report, you'll usually see the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The purpose of the assignment.
The type of value contained and a definition of the value reported.
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 description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights 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 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 assignment.

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

Once the report has been delivered, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is veritable? (Top)

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

The appraisal used analysis of the data.

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

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

That a trustworthy, substantiated appraisal report was communicated.

There are intense education and experience requirements that must be satisfied in order to become a licensed appraiser in Massachusetts. In addition, appraisers must follow a meticulous industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for working up an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Top) Licensing and certification requires classroom study, tests and real world experience. 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 hires an appraiser? (Top)

Commonly, appraisers are called upon by lenders to estimate the value of property involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the house is indeed adequate collateral for the loan. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does New England Appraisal Services, Inc get the information used to estimate values in Hampden County or other areas? (Top)

One of the main tasks an appraiser must accomplish is to collect data. Data can be classified as either Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is gathered from a numerous places. To find out about recently sold homes to be used as "comps", we often go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often need to report when a property lies in a flood zone, so that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles 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? (Top)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. 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. Simply put, 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? (Top)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added plan guards the lender in case a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the house is lower 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.


	The savings from getting rid of the PMI required when you got your mortgage will make up for the price of the appraisal in a matter of months. New England Appraisal Services, Inc is in the business of tracking value trends in Ludlow and Hampden County. Contact us today.

How do I get ready for the appraiser? (Top)

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. Is there anything you can do to help? Yes there is! First, be sure the appraiser has easy access to the exterior of the house (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any shrubs and move any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can get to items 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 survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (Top)

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."

Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report? (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 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these cases, the appraiser may state how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stipulated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Which home renovations add the most to the price? (Top)

It really depends on the market. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

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%. On the contrary, something that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.