Real Estate Information

5 Things to Look for in a Property Appraiser


Homeowners who are seeking a property appraiser often ask "How should I choose which real estate appraiser to use?" When selecting a property appraiser, keep the following in mind:

Always make sure a property appraiser is licensed or certified by the state to perform real estate appraisals. While state licensing and/or certification isn't always an indication of quality, it ensures that an individual is has met certain standards and been authorized to perform property appraisals. Some states do not require licensing to perform real estate appraisals. It is unwise to use the services of any professional who is not licensed or certified.

Don't be afraid to ask an appraiser for a copy of their license. A good appraiser will readily provide this documentation. Copies of licenses are commonly requested by mortgage brokers and loan officers. Once you get a copy of their license, it's a good idea to check with the government agency which issued the document to ensure the license is active and in good standing.

Many excellent real estate appraisers carry a professional designation. The most widely known industry designations are SRPA, SRA and MAI. These designations are issued by the Appraisal Institute. These designations demonstrate an appraiser's commitment to continuing education and ethical standards. Oftentimes, the standards required to obtain these designations exceed those set forth by state licensing/certified requirements.

Ask the real estate appraiser what percentage of their work is performed in the neighborhood in which the property is located. Appraisers who do a lot of their work or live in a particular area often have a deep knowledge of property values in that area. Additionally, they are more likely to know how "neighborhood variables" such as school districts and fire departments affect the property values in the area.

Lastly, find out if the property appraiser has experience performing appraisals for consumers as opposed to real estate professionals. Mortgage brokers and loan officers have distinctly different needs than homeowners. An appraiser who understands the needs of homeowners is more likely to help you learn about the appraisal process and answer questions you may have along the way.

Mary Collins currently works for http://www.find-appraisers.com and is a consultant with experience in the real estate industry. She and the staff at Find-Appraisers.com are focused on helping consumers and real estate professionals quickly find licensed/certified property appraisers in any county across the United States.


MORE RESOURCES:

A Bullish Buy in Commercial Real Estate
Barron's - 7 hours ago
By TERESA RIVAS SOME INVESTORS MAY THINK that commercial real estate is a bubble waiting to pop, but a longtime director at Grubb & Ellis (ticker: GBE) has ...
Kojaian Accumulates 2 Million Shares of Grubb & Ellis (GBE) So Far ... StreetInsider.com (subscription)
all 2 news articles


Robert Shiller on the Real Estate Crisis
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 9 hours ago
Henry Blodget has an interesting interview with Yale Professor Robert Shiller on the housing crisis. Watch the video here. Highlights are below: Home price ...


Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ...
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
today announced that longtime real estate industry executive Bob Bill has joined the company as vice president and general manager of broker services. ...
Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ... CNNMoney.com
Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ... Trading Markets (press release)
Thomas Properties Group Adds Paul Rutter as Executive Vice ... MarketWatch
all 15 news articles


AXcess News: Taking a Byte Out of Canada's Real Estate Market
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
RENO, NV, Sep 05, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- While the US real estate market sits in the doldrums, home sales in Canada are expected to rise 5.3 ...


Arizona Republic

Vehicle found in slaying of real-estate broker
Arizona Republic, AZ - 23 hours ago
5, 2008 12:00 AM Authorities in California on Thursday located the vehicle of a slain Phoenix real-estate broker and detained people found inside for ...
Vehicle of slain Phoenix real-estate broker found in California KSWT-TV
A prominent Jewish activist in Phoenix, Irving Shuman, 84, was ... Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Slain Phoenix broker's car found United Press International
Arizona Republic
all 21 news articles


Feds charge ex-cop, appraiser in real estate fraud case
DetNews.com, MI - 41 minutes ago
DETROIT -- A former Detroit police officer and a city appraiser are among three defendants named in a $2.1 million mortgage fraud and real estate "flipping" ...


Report: San Diego Real Estate Undervalued
NBC Sandiego.com, CA - 4 hours ago
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego's real estate market is now undervalued, according to a report from economic and financial analysis company Global Insight. ...
A housing flip-flop San Diego Union Tribune
all 2 news articles


Jury to decide whether shooting of real estate agent was murder
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 6 hours ago
By Ray Huard EL CAJON – A Lakeside man should be convicted of killing his real estate agent in February 2007 over a condominium deal, both a defense lawyer ...


Washington Post Real Estate editor and columnist
Washington Post, United States - 12 hours ago
Welcome to Real Estate Live, an online discussion of the Washington area housing market with Post Real Estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist ...
Sales slip in August, but real estate market holds firm overall Canada.com
I got this email from a reader: Boston Globe
all 4 news articles


EAST JEFFERSON REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA - 28 minutes ago
... Thibodeaux revocable living trust, donation, no value stated. Catherine Ave. 3703. Beatrice Hudgins to Hudgins Real Estate Trust, donation, no value stated.

Real-Estate - Google News

home | site map
© 2006