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, 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.

About The Author

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.

info@find-appraisers.com

February 26, 2005 Article Author:  Mary Collins

Adjusting to a softer real estate market (CNN Money)
A big reason that Fiona Saulness has saved as much as she has for retirement is real estate.

Nonpareilonline.com debuts real estate Web site (Southwest Iowa News)
The Daily Nonpareil and NonpareilOnline.com will debut a new real estate Web site today. The site, which is called SWIowaHome.com can be reached via The Nonpareil's Headline Stories Page.

REAL ESTATE (St. Petersburg Times)
Residential real estate In this section you can find different offers on residential real estate from the leading real estate agencies: Apartments for all tastes: standard to luxurious, short or long terms.



 Is A Home Equity Credit Line Right for You?
Is A Home Equity Credit Line Right for You?
Home EquityUsing credit lines against the equity of your home are one source of consumer credit that is fast gaining popularity. Home equity is a valuable asset which both lenders and borrowers can benefit from and as such, lenders are offering home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. As you probably know, most loa. . . .
Read The Rest Of This Article

 Financial Security. Its Greatest Enemy.
If you had to choose the greatest enemy of your financial security, where would you look? In the
lineup as you look them over who would you choose? There are so many that qualify. Banks,
credit card companies, persuasive advertisers, finance companies, and identity thieves, would all be in the running. Banks because, while you are their customer, they do not have your best interests . . . .
Read The Rest Of This Article

 Obtaining a Home Equity Loan Online
Private lenders, banks, and mortgage companies are all setting up shop on the internet, and all make it possible to obtain a home equity loan online. Competition between lenders is stiff, so be sure to check a few companies that offer applications about their rates, products, and customer service. A mortgage site that provides a home equity loans will also give more detailed information for. . . .
Read The Rest Of This Article

 Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit?
A home equity loan is good for items that require one large payment. This is why so many consumers use it for debt consolidation. The interest rates on home equity loans are low enough to be beat out the prevailing rates on almost every other type of consumer debt. In this era of teaser rates, it is safe to say that no one is safe when it comes to long term debt. Financial institutions are . . . .
Read The Rest Of This Article

 Why should I get a second mortgage? It's a good way to pay off high interest debt.
Second mortgages are basically any type of home loan that you take out while still making payment on the primary mortgage. This is not an arrangement to be entered lightly because you will end up paying a lot of fees and can rack up a huge debt that negates some of the progress you have made in paying off your original mortgage. Keep loan below Fannie Mae guidelines
One of the most commo. . . .
Read The Rest Of This Article

 ©2005 http://www.mtgmtg.com