![]() Comprehending AppraisalsA home purchase can be the biggest financial decision some of us could ever consider. Whether it's where you raise your family, an additional vacation property or one of many rentals, the purchase of real property is a complex financial transaction that requires multiple people working in concert to see it through. Practically all the parties participating are very familiar. The real estate agent is the most recognizable face in the exchange. Next, the mortgage company provides the money required to fund the deal. And the title company makes sure that all details of the exchange are completed and that a clear title passes to the buyer from the seller. So, what party makes sure the value of the real estate is consistent with the amount being paid? In comes the appraiser. We provide an unbiased opinion of what a buyer might expect to pay — or a seller receive — for a property, where both buyer and seller are informed parties. A licensed, certified, professional appraiser from Alliance Appraisal, Inc. will ensure, you as an interested party, are informed. The inspection is where an appraisal beginsTo determine an accurate status of the property, it's our duty to first complete a thorough inspection. We must see features hands on, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the location, and so on, to ensure they really are there and are in the shape a reasonable person would expect them to be. To make sure the stated size of the property is accurate and document the layout of the property, the inspection often entails creating a sketch of the floorplan. Most importantly, we identify any obvious features - or defects - that would affect the value of the house. Back at the office, an appraiser uses two or three approaches to determining the value of real property: sales comparison and, in the case of a rental property, an income approach. ![]() Cost ApproachThis is where we use information on local building costs, the cost of labor and other factors to ascertain how much it would cost to replace the property being appraised. This estimate often sets the maximum on what a property would sell for. It's also the least used predictor of value. ![]() Analyzing Comparable SalesAppraisers get to know the subdivisions in which they work. They innately understand the value of specific features to the homeowners of that area. Then, the appraiser looks up recent sales in close proximity to the subject and finds properties which are 'comparable' to the real estate being appraised. Using knowledge of the value of certain items such as upgraded appliances, additional bathrooms, additional living area, quality of construction, lot size, we add or subtract from each comparable's sales price so that they are more accurately in line with the features of subject property.
A true estimate of what the subject could sell for can only be determined once all differences between the comps and the subject have been evaluated. At Alliance Appraisal, Inc., we are an authority when it comes to knowing the worth of real estate features in Clifton and Fairfax County neighborhoods. This approach to value is typically given the most consideration when an appraisal is for a real estate exchange. Valuation Using the Income ApproachA third way of valuing approach to value is sometimes employed when an area has a measurable number of rental properties. In this situation, the amount of revenue the real estate produces is taken into consideration along with income produced by nearby properties to determine the current value. The Bottom LineAnalyzing the data from all applicable approaches, the appraiser is then ready to put down an estimated market value for the subject property. The estimate of value at the bottom of the appraisal report is not necessarily the final sales price even though it is likely the best indication of what a property is worth. Prices can always be driven up or down by extenuating circumstances like the motivation or urgency of a seller or 'bidding wars'. Regardless, the appraised value is often employed as a guideline for lenders who don't want to loan a buyer more money than they could get back in the event they had to put the property on the market again. The bottom line is, an appraiser from Alliance Appraisal, Inc. will help you get the most accurate property value, so you can make wise real estate decisions. |