Frequently Asked Questions

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Here are some appraisal related answers to Frequently Asked Questions about appraisals & appraisers here at Bostedo Appraisal Services.

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Pre-Listing Pre-Purchase or FSBO Appraisal. Whether you’re a homeowner selling your property on your own or a seasoned realtor trying to establish a fair list price it’s often difficult to sift through all of the market data to determine a true value for your home....

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Tax Assessment Appeal Appraisal. The best way to win an assessment appeal hearing is with a certified appraisal.

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Estate or Probate Appraisal. When an estate has a transfer of ownership due to death or inheritance, it is very common for a real estate appraisal to be needed for tax purposes....

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Divorce Appraisals. One or both parties should hire the services of a professional real estate appraiser to estimate the fair market value of the home. An appraisal for asset division should include a well-supported, professional report that’s defensible in court....

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Shouldn’t assessed value equate to market value?
  2. Shouldn’t the appraised value of a property vary, depending upon whether the appraisal is conducted for the buyer or the seller?
  3. Doesn’t Market value approximate replacement cost?
  4. Don’t appraisers use a formula, such as a specific price per square foot, to figure out the value of a home?
  5. Isn’t it in a robust economy – when the sales prices of homes in a given area are reported to be rising by a particular percentage – the value of individual properties in the area can be expected to appreciate by that same percentage?
  6. Can’t you generally tell what a property is worth simply by looking at the outside?
  7. Is it true that because consumers pay for appraisals when applying for loans to purchase or refinance real estate, they own their appraisal?
  8. Isn’t it true that Consumers need not be concerned with what is in the appraisal document so long as it satisfies the needs of their lending institution?
  9. Aren’t appraisers hired only to estimate real estate property values in property sales involving mortgage-lending transactions?
  10. Isn’t an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
  11. Aren’t all appraisers the same?
  12. Download Our Free FAQ’s Brochure**

Shouldn’t assessed value equate to market value.

  • While most states support the concept that assessed value approximate estimated market value, this often is not the case. Examples include when interior remodeling has occurred and the assessor is unaware of the improvements, or when properties in the vicinity have not been reassessed for an extended period.
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Shouldn’t the appraised value of a property vary, depending upon whether the appraisal is conducted for the buyer or the seller?

  • The appraiser has no vested interest in the outcome of the appraisal and should render services with independence, objectivity and impartiality – no matter for whom the appraisal is conducted.
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Doesn’t Market Value approximate replacement cost?

  • Market value is based on what a willing buyer likely would pay a willing seller for a particular property, with neither being under pressure to buy or sell. Replacement cost is the dollar amount required to reconstruct a property in-kind.
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Don’t appraisers use a formula, such as a specific price per square foot, to figure out the value of a home?

  • Appraisers make a detailed analysis of all factors pertaining to the value of a home including its location, condition, size, proximity to facilities and recent sale prices of comparable properties.
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Isn’t it in a robust economy – when the sales prices of homes in a given area are reported to be rising by a particular percentage – the value of individual properties in the area can be expected to appreciate by that same percentage?

  • Value appreciation of a specific property must be determined on an individualized basis, factoring in data on comparable properties and other relevant considerations. This is true in good times as well as bad.
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Can’t you generally tell what a property is worth simply by looking at the outside?

  • Property value is determined by a number of factors, including location, condition, improvements, amenities, and market trends.
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Is it true that because consumers pay for appraisals when applying for loans to purchase or refinance real estate, they own their appraisal?

  • The appraisal is, in fact, legally owned by the lender – unless the lender “releases its interest” in the document. However, consumers must be given a copy of the appraisal report, upon written request, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. As a matter of client confidentiality, technically the owner of the report ‘Client’ is the person or entity that engages the appraiser.
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Isn’t it true that Consumers need not be concerned with what is in the appraisal document so long as it satisfies the needs of their lending institution?

  • Only if consumers read a copy of their appraisal can they double-check its accuracy and question the result. Also, it makes a valuable record for future reference, containing useful and often-revealing information – including the legal and physical description of the property, square footage measurements, list of comparable properties in the neighborhood, neighborhood description and a narrative of current real-estate activity and/or market trends in the vicinity.
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Aren’t appraisers hired only to estimate real estate property values in property sales involving mortgage-lending transactions?

  • Depending upon their qualifications and designations, appraisers can and do provide a variety of services, including advice for estate planning, dispute resolution, zoning and tax assessment review, cost/benefit analysis, divorce appraisals, pre-listing appraisals, pre-purchase appraisals, tax assessment appeal appraisals, tax re-assessment, estate settlement & probate appraisals, financial planning, trusts, partnership dissolution, matrimonial, bankruptcy appraisals, condemnation, bail bonds appraisals, tax grievance, elder care (medicaid entitlement, etc.), reo appraisals, third party erc/relo, stigma damage/environmental, pmi elimination, by court appointment, litigation – view diminution, encroachment, llc transfer, retroactive for tax basis, replacement cost for insurance appraisals, guardianship/conservatorship, pre-foreclosure appraisals, short Sale appraisals, tax assessment appeal appraisals, review appraisals, estate planning appraisals, property flippers, remodel before and after, 401K planning and more….
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Isn’t an appraisal the same as a home inspection?

  • An Appraisal does not serve the same purpose as an inspection. The Appraiser forms an opinion of value in the Appraisal process and resulting report. A home inspector determines the condition of the home and its major components and reports these findings.
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Aren’t all appraisers the same.

  • There are different type of licensing within the State of Pennsylvania and consumers need to be aware. The lending institutions are already aware of the differences and that is why they hire Certified Appraisers.
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