Certified Appraisal Group, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Certified Appraisal Group, LLC is always eager to elaborate on any concerns you might have about appraisals in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County and surrounding areas throughout Northern Virginia. Contact the Certified Appraisal Group, LLC today to talk about how we can help solve your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
Why would I request services from Certified Appraisal Group, LLC?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What are the contents of an appraisal report?
Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is valid?
What goes into an appraiser's certification?
Who hires Certified Appraisal Group, LLC
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Fairfax County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?

Define the term "Appraisal" (List of questions)

An appraiser performs an estimation that produces an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is figured by a formal process that commonly utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". The Cost Approach is one of the processes that real estate appraisers use to find the value of a house; it involves concluding what the improvements would cost minus physical deterioration, adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach involves searching for similar properties nearby and figuring out the value based on making a comparison of those prior sales to the home being appraised. Being the most commonly used approach, the Sales Comparison Approach tends to be the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a home. One of the least common approaches in appraising residential properties is the Income Approach, which is mainly used to determine the value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (List of questions)

An appraiser generates a professional, unbiased assessment of market value, often in the context of a real estate purchase. Appraisers demonstrate their expert conclusions in appraisal reports.

Why would I request services from Certified Appraisal Group, LLC? (List of questions)

There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal from Certified Appraisal Group, LLC with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for purchasing an appraisal report include:

To receive a loan.
If you would like to reduce your property tax obligations.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
To contest high property taxes.
To deal with an estate.
To offer you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
To determine a likely sales price when listing 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 need an appraisal on every home.
If you are ever involved in a civil case.

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

Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection? (List of questions)

Home inspectors do not estimate an opinion of value and do not do appraisal reports. A third-party home inspector will inspect the structure of the home, from the roof to the foundation. The usual home inspector's report will include an evaluation of the integrity of the home's heating systems, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and accessible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal? (List of questions)

Frankly, it's like comparing broadband and dial-up. The CMA relies on indistinct local market trends. An appraisal is based on comparable sales that can be proven by records. In addition, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, location and construction costs. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

The credentials of the person behind 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 be trained in technical valuation concepts or even have a handle on market trends. The appraisal is produce by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Moreover, the appraiser is an independent party, with no vested interest in the property's value, unlike the agent, whose income is tied to the price of the home.

What are the contents of an appraisal report? (List of questions)

The main objective of an appraisal document is to give a value opinion, and depending on the scope of the report, one will customarily see the following:

The client and other intended users.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The purpose of the assignment.
The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the value opinion.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible items.
All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
The scope of work used when completing the job.

For a more in depth look at the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is valid? (List of questions)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must ensure the following:

That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was appropriate.
That significant errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.
That appraisal services were not executed in a careless or negligent manner.
That a credible, supportable appraisal report was conferred.

There are intense education and practical experience requirements that must be adhered to in order to get an appraisal license in Virginia. In addition, appraisers must stick to a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for working up an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(List of questions)

Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who hires Certified Appraisal Group, LLC (List of questions)

Most of the time, appraisers are called upon by mortgage lenders to render a value opinion on property involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the real estate is indeed adequate collateral for the loan. Appraisers also provide opinions for legal settlements, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Fairfax County or other areas? (List of questions)

One of the most important tasks an appraiser must accomplish is to collect property data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a numerous sources. To find out about recently sold homes to be used as "comps", we often go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property is in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her past experience in creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me? (List of questions)

If you're making some sort of financial decision and the value of your home is relevant, you'll want an appraisal. For those selling a home, you'll want to figure out the 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. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.

My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that? (List of questions)

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. This supplemental plan protects the lender in case a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the market price of the home is less than what the borrower still owes on the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.


	Has your home value appreciated since you first purchased? Call Certified Appraisal Group, LLC today at 703-451-2241 to see if you can get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance? (List of questions)

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. Inside, make sure it is clutter free and that we can access things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any landscaping so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:

A survey or plot map of the property and building (if readily available).
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees .
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property.

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (List of questions)

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 knowledgeable, 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."

Who has rights to the appraisal report? (List of questions)

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 certainly entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not entitled to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these scenarios, the appraiser may state how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others? (List of questions)

The added value of a particular amenity truly depends on the local market. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

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 were second, 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 overbuilt for your neighborhood in terms of size.