If you haven’t worked with an appraiser before, you may not realize that all appraisers are not equally qualified. There are countless examples of people who based their hiring decision strictly on who the cheapest appraiser is. Don’t wait for your own bad learning experience, make sure to hire an appraiser that is qualified and geographically competent in your market area.
Using a low cost appraiser may seem to be the best decision as the appraisal may seem like a formality but when it comes to hiring a professional appraiser you typically get what you pay for. When it comes to valuing your home it is very important to get a valuation that is reliable and accurate in regards to not only your property’s value but also the content of the report. This includes getting the most money for your home when you sell, making sure your not over-paying when you buy and having a accurate appraised value in regards to estates, divorce or tax issues.
Working with cheap appraisers typically means there’s a good chance you won’t be getting the quality report you need in order to make an informed real estate decision. It also means your experience with service may be compromised – starting with scheduling your appraisal inspection in a timely fashion, the on-site home inspection experience and the report delivery and follow process. So when it comes to working within a budget, don’t compromise the decision to hire an appraiser based on saving a few dollars, as it could cost you dearly in the end.
There are several ways to make sure you hire a quality appraiser. For one thing, ask around with the people you know and trust as well as other professionals in the field of real estate. Look for names that come up again and again and start your hiring process from there.
You should always pre-screen the appraiser you are looking to hire as well. You don’t have to come across as controlling or pushy but you should ask the appraiser some questions about their experience and knowledge about the market area where your property is located and make sure you feel comfortable with the appraiser in regard to communication and feedback.
An example of some great questions to ask can include:
- Ask for full name and telephone number, and license or certification number. This lets the appraiser know you are serious. If they do not know there license number by heart it may be a red flag that they may not have one.
- Ask about the location of their office in order to work with someone that is based in the same market area or at least the same region of where your property is located. If they seem to have a working knowledge beyond their immediate office location they may still be a potential candidate, just be careful not too hire someone located in a different region of your state as this may be a sign of geographic incompetency.
- Ask how long they have been appraising in your market area and if they have ever been disciplined. An ideal minimum of experience is at least 5 to 10 years is ideal for their experience.
- Another great question in regard to experience and qualifications is asking if they’re Licensed or Certified. The Certified appraiser holds a upgraded license typically has more experience and education and can appraise more complex properties as compared to a Licensed appraiser.
I hope you found this helpful and if you have any additional questions, thoughts, or comments please leave them down below. For any additional questions or help regarding anything in the world of appraisal please contact us directly by phone or email. We look forward to serving you!
California Home Appraisals specializes in appraisals for divorce, bankruptcy, estate, date of death, tax appeals, pre-listings, and more throughout the greater Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin & Lincoln areas. For more info contact us at (916) 521-5949, visit our website at CalHomeAppraisals.com, or email us @ gary@calhomeappraisals.com.
