Gillispie Appraisal Services has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Gillispie Appraisal Services is always happy to talk to you about any questions you might have about appraisals or real estate in Pueblo County. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you with your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
What does an appraiser do?
What are the reasons I would request your services?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
Upon completion of the report, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is valid?
What does it mean for an appraiser to be licensed?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Pueblo 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?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?

Define the term "Appraisal" (See list of FAQ's)

An appraisal report is an investigation that concludes with an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the appraiser arrive at this opinion or estimate. One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which is what it would cost to restore the improvements to the property, minus depreciation and physical deterioration, plus the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach deals with searching for similar properties in the vicinity and finding value based on comparing those prior sales to the home being appraised. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a house. One of the least common approaches in appraising homes 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 income produced by the property.

What does an appraiser do? (See list of FAQ's)

An appraiser forumlates an unbiased and well justified assessment of market value, in the support of real property exchanges. Appraisers demonstrate their findings in appraisal reports.

What are the reasons I would request your services? (See list of FAQ's)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for getting an appraisal report include:

To receive a loan.
To reduce your tax burden.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove PMI.
To contest improperly assessed property taxes.
If you need to take care of an estate.
To offer you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
To figure out the most probable price when selling real estate.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every house.
It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.

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

How is an appraiser different than a home inspector? (See list of FAQ's)

Appraisers do not do perform house inspections and are not home inspectors. The purpose of a home inspection is to investigate the structure of the home from basement to top. For the most part, a home inspection report will discuss the amenities and the necessities of the home: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical services, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, visible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)? (See list of FAQ's)

To be honest, they have nothing in common. The CMA relies on vague market trends. An appraisal is based on comparable sales that can be proven by records. Also, the appraisal checks other factors like condition, area and replacement prices. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

Who's creating the report is actually the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is created 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 created by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living 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 value of the home.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report? (See list of FAQ's)

Every report must indicate a supported value opinion and must clearly state the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
The intended use of the appraisal.
The appraisal's purpose.
The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical attributes, legal attributes, economic factors, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures 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.
What was entailed in the process of completing the appraisal.

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

Upon completion of the report, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is valid? (See list of FAQ's)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:

The appraisal contained an apropos analysis of the data.

That substantial errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.

That appraisal services were delivered in a careful and cognizant 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 achieve the status of "licensed appraiser" in Colorado. In addition, appraisers must abide by a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for developing an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(See list of FAQ's) Regulations regarding licensing and certification vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of classroom study, tests and experience working under a supervisory appraiser. Once an appraiser is 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 engages the services of appraisers? (See list of FAQ's)

Typically, appraisers are employed by lenders to render a value opinion on real estate involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the house is truly adequate collateral for the loan. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Pueblo County or other areas? (See list of FAQ's)

Compiling information is one of the primary roles of an appraiser. Data can be divided into Specific or General. Specific data is 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 numerous sources. To look up recent sales to be used as "comps", we typically go to the local Multiple Listing Service. To verify actual sales prices, we research items in the assessor's office and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Appraisers often need 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 service.

And most importantly, the appraiser gathers 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? (See list of FAQ's)

An appraisal is a valuable tool anytime the value of your home is pertinent to a financial decision. When selling your home, an appraisal helps you set a price that maximizes profit and reduces time on the market. When buying, be sure you're not overpaying by getting an independent appraisal. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. Simply put, 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? (See list of FAQ's)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added plan covers the lender in case a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the home is less than the loan balance. 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 dropping your PMI pays for the appraisal in no time. Gillispie Appraisal Services has years of experience with real estate value trends in Pueblo and Pueblo County. Contact us today.

How do I get ready for the appraiser? (See list of FAQ's)

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 get to things like furnaces and water heaters. On the outside, 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 plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).
A list of any personal property that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
A list of "suggested" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (See list of FAQ's)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair 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? (See list of FAQ's)

For mortgage transactions, the lender orders 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 entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually included 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 define the purpose of the appraisal; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others? (See list of FAQ's)

A home's location - what city it is in and even what part of that city - is key to this popular question. For example, if you're in a neigborhood of small to medium priced homes, a media room may not be something people in that price range want

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe investment. 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 are right up there with kitchens, yielding 85%. On the contrary, something that may not add value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.