Home Buyer Articles & Advice

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 to use 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.

Related Pages

Home Buying Strategies - Five home buying strategies to make your transition easier - Get pre-approved for a mortgage is key to making a clean offer on the new home you want.

Home Buying Tips - Information and tips about buying a new home and getting pre-approved for a loan before you start seriously looking.

Home Buying Mistakes - Tips on buying your new home - Avoid these common home buying mistakes that will cost you thousands extra.

Nothing Down Real Estate - Flipping houses is not illegal - Make money in real estate by using nothing down strategies or 100% financing with no PMI.

Real Estate Investment Tips - Seven real estate investment tips - Best sources for investment property loans - How to find good real estate investment properties for resale.

Online Lenders - Tips on evaluating online lenders and their offerings.

Terms - Information and explanations about home loan terms, mortgages, and home equity loans.

Mortgage Brokers - Shop these top lenders for comparison quotes.

Down Payment Leverage - Avoid PMI with a two-loan strategy. How to grow your equity faster.

Refinance- Tips on when refinancing is the right decision - How to avoid paying points and other lender fees.

Home Loan Online - Discover the best ways to get the lowest rates - Links for checking current rates.

Loan Directory - Complete home loans directory for thousands of loan products, companies, brokers, and lenders. Search our loan directory by keyword or by category for complete listings of all things related to mortgages, home equity loans, refinance, and more.

In The News

	Web Home-Loans-Help.com