There are many issues that may cause problems when having a FHA appraisal completed. However, there are some that typically appear more frequently than others. You should be aware these typical issues because most sellers or realtors will face at least one of these issues. It is a good idea to be prepared and make corrections ahead of time by having an idea of what the appraiser will be looking for.

During the appraisal inspection the FHA appraiser is particularly interested in checking for the three S’s – safety, structure, and soundness. Everything on the appraiser’s checklist is meant to make sure the property is safe and habitable. Sometimes the items found can seem a bit nit-picky but it is better to know any possible issues that may turn out to be a terrible surprise when the roof caves in or the structure in the basement rots away.

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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.

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The real estate appraiser plays a significant role in many of the situations that involve real estate. The situations may be a home purchase, estate settlement, divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal or other. The appraiser’s role should never be downplayed, since their appraisal may be the difference between a successful transaction or a bad transaction and the potential loss of money.

Therefore it is very important that you hire a qualified and experienced appraiser for whatever the situation may be. Below is a list of 10 of the most important questions you can ask when hiring an appraiser.

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