Frequently Asked Questions:
Q:How can I contact a specific employee?
A:To contact a specific appraiser, please see our Staff Page.
Q: What is an Appraisal?
A: An appraisal is a professional appraiser’s opinion of value. The preparation of an appraisal involves research into appropriate market areas; the assembly and analysis of information pertinent to a property; and the knowledge, experience, and professional judgment of the appraiser. Appraisals may be required for any type of property, including land, single-family homes, apartment buildings and condominiums, office buildings, shopping centers, and industrial sites. The reasons for performing a real property appraisal are just as varied. They are usually required whenever real property is sold, mortgaged, taxed, insured, or developed. For example, appraisals are prepared for:
- Mortgage lending purposes.
- Estate planning and estate settlements.
- Tax assessments and appeals of assessments.
- Negotiation between buyers and sellers.
- Eminent domain/Condemnation; Government acquisition of private property for public use.
- Business mergers or dissolutions.
- Dispute resolution: Divorce, estate, property partition, foreclosures, zoning.
- Feasibility Studies.
- Rent Survey: As it pertains to specific real property.
- Lease negotiations.
Q: What other services are provided by an Appraiser?
A:Our appraisers have a wide range of services that they offer:
- Appraisal Review.
- Consulting.
- Expert witness testimony.
- Capitalization and Discount Rate Analysis.
- Cost Analysis.
- Property Inspection.
- Rent Survey: Where a specific property is not designated.
- Data.
- Public Records Search.
Q:What is the Role of the Appraiser?
A: The role of the appraiser is to provide objective, impartial, and unbiased opinions about the value of real property providing assistance to those who own, manage, sell, invest in, and/or lend money on the security of real estate. Appraisers assemble a series of facts, statistics, and other information regarding specific properties, analyze this data, and develop opinions of value. Each appraisal assignment challenges the appraiser’s ability to put analytical skills into practice, exercise sound judgment, and communicate effectively.
Q:What Qualifications Must Appraisers Have?
A: All states require appraisers to be state licensed or certified in order to provide appraisals to federally regulated lenders. Some states require appraisers to be licensed or certified to provide appraisals for other parties as well. To become licensed or certified, you must pass an examination that is administered by your state’s appraisal board. Because state requirements vary, contact your state’s regulatory agency for specific requirements. The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of The Appraisal Foundation is authorized by Congress to establish the minimum requirements for Certified General Real Property Appraiser and Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser classifications, and the AQB provides recommended minimum requirements for the Licensed Real Property Appraiser and Trainee classifications. Descriptions for the four categories can be found on The Appraisal Foundation Web site.
Q: Why choose appraisers that are Designated Members of the Appraisal Institute?
A: Appraisers who become designated members of the Appraisal Institute have gone beyond minimum state requirements. They have fulfilled rigorous education and experience requirements and must adhere to strict standards and a code of professional ethics. The Appraisal Institute currently confers the MAI membership designation on those who are experienced in the valuation of commercial, industrial, residential, and other types of properties. The SRA membership designation is held by those who are experienced in the analysis and valuation of residential real property.