Burnor Appraisal Service has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Burnor Appraisal Service is eager to elaborate on any concerns you might have about appraisals or real estate in Toledo and Lucas County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

What is an appraisal?
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to request services from Burnor Appraisal Service?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value indicated is accurate?
What goes into an appraiser's certification?
Who hires an appraiser?
Where does Burnor Appraisal Service get the information used to estimate values in Lucas 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?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?

What is an appraisal? (Back to top)

An appraiser performs an evaluation that leads to an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which assists the real estate appraiser arrive at this opinion or valuation. The Cost Approach is one of the processes that real estate appraisers use to find the value of a house; it involves finding what the improvements would cost minus physical degradation, plus the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach involves searching for comparable properties in the vicinity and figuring out the value based on making a comparison of those houses to the house in question. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a home. One of the least common approaches in appraising residential properties is the Income Approach, which is generally used to determine the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the capital produced by the building.

Describe what an appraiser does (Back to top)

An appraiser forumlates a fair and credible determination of market value, in the support of real property exchanges. Appraisers exhibit their findings in appraisal reports.

What would cause me to request services from Burnor Appraisal Service? (Back to top)

There are many reasons to order an appraisal from Burnor Appraisal Service with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for getting an appraisal include:

To get a loan.
If you would like to lower your property tax obligations.
To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove PMI.
To fight inflated property taxes.
If you need to settle an estate.
To provide you a leg-up when purchasing a home.
To find an honest price when listing your home.
To protect your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.

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

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Back to top)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and does not do a complete home inspection. A third-party home inspector will evaluate the structure of the property, from the top to the bottom. The standard property inspector's report will contain 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 visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)? (Back to top)

Simply put, it's night and day. The CMA depends on indefinite market trends. The appraisal is based on similar definite comparable sales. In addition, the appraisal checks other factors like condition, area and construction costs. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

Who's behind the report is hands down the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents, who may not have a true grasp of valuation methods or the entire market, create CMA's. The appraisal is produce by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a previously agreed upon fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What's in an appraisal report? (Back to top)

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:

Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
The intended use of the report.
The reason for the assignment.
The type of value contained and a definition of that value.
The effective date of the appraisal.
Pertinent property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic attributes, the property rights in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible considerations.
All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
The scope of work considered when completing the assignment.

For a more comprehensive view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value indicated is accurate? (Back to top)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must make sure of the following:

That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was suitable.

That substantial 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, substantiated appraisal report was conferred.

To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as real world experience that must be logged - all with the objective of being able to provide unbiased value opinions. In addition, appraisers must stick to a stringent industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for carrying out an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

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

Who hires an appraiser? (Back to top)

Typically, appraisers are called upon by mortgage lenders to estimate the value of property involved in a loan transaction. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does Burnor Appraisal Service get the information used to estimate values in Lucas County or other areas? (Back to top)

Collecting information is one of the primary tasks an appraiser does. Data can be classified as either Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are noted by the appraiser while on site.

General data is collected from a number of places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide information on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is available from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from creating appraisals for other houses in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me? (Back to top)

An appraisal is a worthwhile whenever the value of your home is relevant to some financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine 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. Simply put, a house 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? (Back to top)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. It covers the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the property is lower than what the borrower still owes on the loan. Once you can prove the amount you owe on your home is less than 80% of the home's market value, you can make a case to your lender to drop the PMI.


	The savings from getting rid of your PMI will make up for the cost of the appraisal in a matter of months. Burnor Appraisal Service has years of experience with value trends in Toledo and Lucas County. Contact us today.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection (Back to top)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. During this process, we 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. The best thing you can do to help is make sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any bushes and move any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure the appraiser can get to appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

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

Any records on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
List of personal property to be sold with the home.
Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and your well.
A list of any major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
A list of "suggested" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

What does "Market Value" mean? (Back to top)

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 knowledgeably, 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? (Back to top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. 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 appraisal - it's usually bundled with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

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

I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating? (Back to top)

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

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms were second, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also increase the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.