Desert West Appraisal Services has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Desert West Appraisal Services is always prepared to reply to any questions you might have about appraisals in Bullhead City and Mohave County. Feel free to contact us today.

Describe an appraisal
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons someone would request your services?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What does the appraisal report contain?
Once the appraisal is done, what assurance is there that the final number is trustworthy?
How difficult is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Mohave 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?
Do you need anything from me in advance?
What is "Market Value?"
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?

Describe an appraisal (Back to top)

An appraisal report is an investigation leading to an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which assists the real estate appraiser arrive at this opinion or estimate. One of the methods in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to restore the improvements to the property, less the age and physical dilapidation, adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach involves searching for similar properties in close proximity and figuring out the value based on comparing those homes to the home being investigated. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most accurate and best indicator of value for a residential property. 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 capital generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (Back to top)

An appraiser forumlates an impartial and well supported assessment of market value, often in the context of a real estate exchange. Appraisers document their findings in appraisal reports.

What are the reasons someone would request your services? (Back to top)

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

If you are applying for a loan.
To lower your tax burden.
To help a homeowner realize if they owe less than 80% of their home's value and remove PMI.
To fight high property taxes.
To settle an estate.
To offer you an edge when purchasing real estate.
To determine a likely property value when selling your home.
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 house.
It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.

For a more extensive explanation of the appraisal process click here.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Back to top)

Home inspectors do not estimate an opinion of value and do not do appraisal reports. An inspection is a third-party evaluation of the available structure and systems of a home, from the top to the bottom. Generally, a home inspection report will evaluate the amenities and the necessities of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical systems, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal? (Back to top)

Honestly, they have nothing in common. What the CMA relies upon are ill-defined trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. Location and building costs are also important in an appraisal. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

The credentials of the person creating the report is hands down the most significant 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. A certified, state licensed professional who has formed their livelihood on valuing real estate in and around Mohave County is behind the appraisal. Further, the appraiser is an unbiased party, with no conditional interest in the value of a home, unlike the real estate agent, whose income is tied to the price of the home.

What does the appraisal report contain? (Back to top)

Every appraisal should demonstrate a credible estimate of value and should clearly state the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The appraisal's purpose.
The type of value reported and a definition of that value.
The effective date of the appraisal.
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible factors.
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.
What was included in the process of completing the appraisal.

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

Once the appraisal is done, what assurance is there that the final number is trustworthy? (Back to top)

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

That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was proper.

Whether individually or collectively, there were no significant errors contained in the report, nor any material details left out.

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

The final appraisal report was understandable, sound and conclusive.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet extensive education and experience requirements that enable us to formulate an unbiased opinion. Plus, appraisers must obey a meticulous industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for developing an appraisal and communicating its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Back to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification are different from state to state. However, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of coursework, tests and practical experience. Once licensed, he or she is required to engage in continuing education courses in order to keep the license up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers? (Back to top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical customer, requesting their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Mohave County or other areas? (Back to top)

Gathering data is one of the primary functions of an appraiser. Data can be described as either Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are documented by the appraiser while on site.

General data is collected from a many sources. To research recently sold homes to be used as "comps", an appraiser will often use the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often have 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 most importantly, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her past experience in creating appraisals for other houses in the same market.

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser? (Back to top)

An appraisal is a worthwhile whenever the value of your home is pertinent to a financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a 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 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? (Back to top)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional plan takes care of the lender in case a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the value of the house is lower than what the borrower still owes on 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.


	Is PMI a part of your monthly house payment?Call Desert West Appraisal Services today at 928-704-3927 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's current value could save you thousands.

Do you need anything from me in advance? (Back to top)

The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. 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. On the home's interior, make sure it is clutter free and that we can get to things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

To help speed things along plus ensure a more accurate report, attempt if possible to have the following items:

Records on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
Information on any written private easements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of Insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo covenants or fees .

What is "Market Value?" (Back to top)

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."

Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer? (Back to top)

For mortgage transactions, the lender requests the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner engaging the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these scenarios, the appraiser may stipulate 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.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others? (Back to top)

The answer to this is different depending upon the location of the home. 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.

As a rule, the most value returned from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. 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 are right up there with kitchens, yielding 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also boost 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.