Conser Appraisals, Inc. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Conser Appraisals, Inc. is always eager to handle any concerns you might have about appraisals in Salem and Marion County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

Describe an appraisal
What does an appraiser do?
Why would I request your services?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What are the contents of an appraisal report?
Once the appraisal has been completed, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is veritable?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who are an appraiser's customers?
Where does Conser Appraisals, Inc. get the data used to estimate values in Marion County or other areas?
Why do I need a professional appraisal?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance?
Define "Market Value"
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?



Describe an appraisal   (Top)

The process of creating an appraisal deals with an inspection which leads to an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the real estate appraiser arrive at this opinion or estimate. One of the methods is the Cost Approach - which is how much it would cost to replace the improvements, minus physical deterioration and other factors, then adding the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which involves discovering a comparable analysis to other similar nearby properties which have recently sold. Being the most common approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is considered the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a home. One of the least common approaches in appraising homes is the Income Approach, which is generally used to figure the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the building.

What does an appraiser do?   (Top)

An appraiser provides a fair and credible assessment of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers summarize their expert investigation in appraisal reports.


Why would I request your services?   (Top)

There are a lot of reasons to get an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for getting an appraisal report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • If you would like to reduce your property tax obligations.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To contest inflated property taxes.
  • To settle an estate.
  • To give you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
  • To figure out the most probable property value when selling your home.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.
Click here for a more extensive explanation of the process of getting an appraisal.


What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?   (Top)

Home inspectors do not estimate an opinion of value and are not appraisers. A third-party home inspector will evaluate the structure of the property, from the top to the foundation. The archetypal home inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the integrity of the home's heating system, 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.

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

Frankly, they have nothing in common. What the CMA relies upon are ill-defined trends. The appraisal depends on similar verifiable comparable sales. Area and architectural values are also precedent in an appraisal. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." Being a documented and carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.

Who's behind the report is hands down the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents write CMA's, and they don't always know the whole market or have specific competence when it comes to home valuation. The appraisal is produce by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Moreover, the appraiser is an independent voice, with no vested interest in the value of a home, unlike the real estate agent, who gets a commission based upon the value of the home.

What are the contents of an appraisal report?   (Top)

Every report should reflect a believable estimate of value and should identify the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The purpose of the assignment.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the appraisal.
  • Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, 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 to complete the assignment.
For a more comprehensive look at the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


Once the appraisal has been completed, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is veritable?   (Top)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must make sure of the following:
  • That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was suitable.

  • Whether individually or collectively, there were no substantial errors contained in the report, nor any relevant details left out.

  • That appraisal services were not executed in a careless or negligent fashion.

  • The final appraisal report was understandable, credible and not easily discredited.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are education requirements as well as practical experience that must be logged - all with the end goal of being able to render unbiased value opinions. Plus, appraisers must stick to a strict industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for working up an appraisal and documenting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Top) Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and experience working under a supervisor. Once licensed, he or she is required to complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who are an appraiser's customers?   (Top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical customer, requiring their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Conser Appraisals, Inc. get the data used to estimate values in Marion County or other areas?   (Top)

One of the main activities of an appraiser is to gather property data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is collected from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a number of sources. To look up recently sold homes to be used as "comps", an appraiser will typically use the local Multiple Listing Service. To double-check actual sales prices, we research items in the assessor's office and other public documents. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property is in a flood zone, so that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And most importantly, the appraiser assimilates general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other properties in the same market.


Why do I need a professional appraisal?   (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 a 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. For those settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Conser Appraisals, Inc. is the best way to ensure assets are split up properly. Simply put, a house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value means you can make smart financial decisions.


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

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional policy protects the lender if a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price 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.

Has your real estate appreciated since you first purchased? Call Conser Appraisals, Inc. today at 541-981-2491 to see if you can get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance?   (Top)

We start with an inspection of the home. 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, pick up any clutter and make sure we can get to things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of exterior walls.

You can make our visit go faster and improve the quality of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:
  • 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 a oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
  • Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.
  • A list of any major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

Define "Market Value"   (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."



Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?   (Top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is entitled to a copy of the report - 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these cases, 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?   (Top)

This really depends on where the home is. For example, adding a central air conditioner in to a home in the South may add significant value, while putting one in a home near the Pacific Northwest might not have much impact.

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe investment. 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 are right up there with kitchens, returning 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 an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.