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C.S. Heaton Appraisals Inc has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

C.S. Heaton Appraisals Inc is happy to elaborate on any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Mesa and Maricopa County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

What is an appraisal?
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to request your services?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
After completing the report, what assurance is there that the value conclusion is trustworthy?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who are an appraiser's customers?
Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Maricopa County or other areas?
How can a licensed appraiser help 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?
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?   (Go to list of  questions)

The method of creating an appraisal report consists of an evaluation which forms an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the real estate appraiser come to this opinion or estimate. One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to restore the improvements to the house, less the depreciation and physical dilapidation, adding the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns making a comparison to other similar nearby properties which have recently sold. Being the most common approach, the Sales Comparison Approach tends to be the most precise and best indicator of market value for a house. One of the least common approaches in appraising houses is the Income Approach, which is commonly used to find the value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraiser offers a professional, unbiased opinion of market value, often in the context of a real estate sale. Appraisers present their conclusions in appraisal reports.


What would cause me to request your services?   (Go to list of  questions)

There are a lot of reasons to purchase an appraisal from C.S. Heaton Appraisals Inc with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for obtaining an report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • If you would like to reduce your property tax burden.
  • To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To contest high property taxes.
  • If you need to take care of an estate.
  • To give you an edge when purchasing a home.
  • To figure out a reasonable price when listing your home.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every property.
  • It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.
If you need more information regarding the appraisal process, please click here.


How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?   (Go to list of  questions)

Home inspectors do not figure out an opinion of value and do not use the same forms as appraisers. The purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the structure of the house from foundation to top. Usually, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the requirements of the property: 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, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?   (Go to list of  questions)

Simply, they have nothing in common. The CMA relies on vague trends in the market. An appraisal is based on comparable sales that can be validated by public record. Also, the appraisal checks other factors like condition, neighborhood and construction costs. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the largest differentiator is who's creating the report. 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 created by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a previously agreed upon sum for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?   (Go to list of  questions)

The main purpose of an appraisal report is to give a value opinion, 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.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • 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 attributes, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations 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 considered when completing the appraisal.
For a more in depth look at all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the report, what assurance is there that the value conclusion is trustworthy?   (Go to list of  questions)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must make sure of the following:
  • The appraisal contained an apropos analysis of the data.

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

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

  • That a believable, supportable appraisal report was conferred.
To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet extensive education and experience requirements that enable us to produce an unbiased opinion. Likewise, appraisers must stick to a stringent industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for carrying out an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Go to list of  questions) Licensing and certification requires coursework, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he or she is required to engage in continuing education courses so the license stays up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who are an appraiser's customers?   (Go to list of  questions)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical customer, needing their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is enough to cover a loan balance in the case of default. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Maricopa County or other areas?   (Go to list of  questions)

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

General data is gathered from a variety of sources. To look up recently sold homes to be used as "comps", we typically use the local Multiple Listing Service. To verify actual sales prices, we look at tax records and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Flood zone data is available from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood servers.

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


How can a licensed appraiser help me?   (Go to list of  questions)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a price that gets you the most profit but doesn't leave your home on the market too long; an appraisal can help with that. 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?   (Go to list of  questions)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI guards the lender if a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the house is less than what is owed on the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Is PMI a part of your monthly house payment?Call C.S. Heaton Appraisals Inc today at 480-394-0948 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's present value could save you thousands.

How do I get ready for the appraiser?   (Go to list of  questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. What this entails is the appraiser, after setting up an appointment, personally going through the home - recording the layout of the rooms, taking photos and documenting the general status of its amenities. 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 landscaping and move any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure. On the inside, make sure the appraiser can get to items 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 information on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
  • Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
  • Title policy that lists encroachments or easements.
  • 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).
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

What does "Market Value" mean?   (Go to list of  questions)

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?   (Go to list of  questions)

For mortgage transactions, the lender orders the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. 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 certainly 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.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner engages an appraiser directly. In these situations, the appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not noted 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?   (Go to list of  questions)

The added value of a particular amenity truly depends on the local market. For example, installing an inline humidifier could be nice in arid regions, but completely useless near the coast!

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 weren't far behind, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also help the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become overbuilt for your neighborhood in terms of size.