Hoffer Appraisal Services has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Hoffer Appraisal Services is more than happy to answer any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Clearfield County. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you with your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
Why would a person need services from Hoffer Appraisal Services?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the assignment has been completed, what guarantee is there that the final number is trustworthy?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who are an appraiser's customers?
Where does Hoffer Appraisal Services get the information used to estimate values in Clearfield County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?

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

An appraiser provides an evaluation that produces an opinion of value. The appraiser will use a number of "approaches," typically three, to come to the estimation of market value. One of the methods in use is the Cost Approach, which finds what it would cost to restore the improvements to the home, minus depreciation and physical dilapidation, adding the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns discovering a comparison to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most definitive and clearest indicator of value for a home. One of the least common approaches in appraising residential properties is the Income Approach, which is generally used to find the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the capital produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (See list of FAQ's)

An appraiser forumlates an objective and well supported assessment of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers demonstrate their analysis in appraisal reports.

Why would a person need services from Hoffer Appraisal Services? (See list of FAQ's)

There are many reasons to purchase an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for purchasing an appraisal report include:

If you are applying for a loan.
If you would like to lower your property tax obligations.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove PMI.
To fight inflated property taxes.
To deal with an estate.
To give you an edge when purchasing a home.
To find a reasonable property value when selling your home.
To defend your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
Government agencies such as the IRS need an appraisal on every property.
If you ever find yourself in a lawsuit.

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

What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection? (See list of FAQ's)

The appraiser is not a home inspector nor does he/she do a complete home inspection. A third-party home inspector will inspect the structure of the house, from the top to the bottom. The standard home inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the condition of the house's heating system, 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.

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

Frankly, it's like comparing Shakespeare to reality TV. The CMA uses market trends to conduct most of their business. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. In addition, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, neighborhood and construction costs. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

But the most significant factor is who's doing the report. Real estate agents produce 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 has made a career out of valuing properties. Moreover, the appraiser is an unbiased voice, with no conditional interest in the property's value, unlike the agent, who gets a commission based upon the price of the home.

What's in an appraisal report? (See list of FAQ's)

The main point of an appraisal document is to let the reader know the value of the real estate in question, and depending on the scope of the report, you'll usually see the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
The intended use of the appraisal.
The appraisal's purpose.
Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
The effective date of the appraisal.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, items that are more or less permanently installed and even intangible factors.
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 used to complete the appraisal.

For a more comprehensive look at all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the assignment has been completed, what guarantee is there that the final number is trustworthy? (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 analysis of the data.

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

That appraisal services were not carried out in a careless or negligent fashion.

The final appraisal report was understandable, sound and not easily discredited.

To become a state licensed appraiser, there are intense education requirements as well as experience that must be attained. In addition, appraisers must obey a meticulous industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for developing an appraisal and reporting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(See list of FAQ's) Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and practical experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she must then take continuing education courses in order to keep the license up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who are an appraiser's customers? (See list of FAQ's)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical customer, using their services to ensure property involved in a mortgage transaction is enough to cover a loan balance in the case of default. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does Hoffer Appraisal Services get the information used to estimate values in Clearfield County or other areas? (See list of FAQ's)

One of the primary tasks an appraiser performs is to collect 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 specifics are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is gathered from a variety 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 gathered from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood system.

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

What can a full appraisal do for me? (See list of FAQ's)

If you're making some sort of financial decision and the value of your home is relevant, you'll want an appraisal. If you're selling your house, an appraisal helps you set a price that maximizes profit and reduces time on the market. 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. Knowing its true value is essential to making smart financial decisions.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it? (See list of FAQ's)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional policy protects the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the home is less than what is owed 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.


	Does your monthly loan payment include a fee for PMI?Call Hoffer Appraisal Services today at 814-371-2101 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's current value could save you thousands.

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

The first step in most appraisals is the property 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. The best thing you can do to help is make sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any landscaping and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can easily access 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:

Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.
Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees .
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

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

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? (See list of FAQ's)

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 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these scenarios, the appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated 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? (See list of FAQ's)

The added value of a particular amenity truly depends on the local market. 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 move. 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 weren't far behind, yielding 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also increase the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become atypical for your neighborhood in terms of size.