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6 Helpful Tips for Hiring a Home Appraiser

Admin • Oct 18, 2021

A home appraisal is vital when you want to sell your house. As the seller, you likely want a real estate appraiser who will provide an impartial opinion based on your current home's condition and the prices of other properties in your location. So how do you choose the right home appraiser?

Fortunately, choosing a suitable home appraiser doesn't have to be complicated. Discover six tips you can use to ensure you only hire an appraisal professional who understands their craft.

1. Qualifications

Before hiring an appraiser for your home, first check the appraiser's qualifications to determine that you will deal with a professional. Reach out to the appraiser you have in mind, and ask them to email you a copy of their qualifications sheet that provides information on their education, associations, or licensing.

Some of the licenses federal law might require include Certified General Real Property Appraiser and Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser. An associate degree is also often a mandatory requirement.

2. Experience

Experience is a significant consideration when choosing an appraisal service provider. Check how long the appraiser has been in service and their past accomplishments. Consider going with an appraiser with more than five years of experience.

Some appraisers only serve one county, while others serve two or more counties. You may want to hire an appraiser who has appraised properties in your location. The more familiar they are with the real estate market in your neighborhood, the better.

Also, ask the appraiser whether they belong to an appraisal company and work part-time or full-time. Don't hesitate to ask every relevant question that comes to mind if you want to find a qualified appraiser.

3. References

A good appraiser should provide several references for previous clients. Contact the references to enquire about their experience with the appraiser and whether their service was up to code. You, however, should not stop at this point. Ensure that you interview the appraisers further until they tick all the right boxes.

Also, don't hire the very first home appraiser that you find. Talk to several appraisers before settling on the right one. An appraiser makes a huge difference when selling a home, so you must hire a competent one. Don't rush - take your time.

4. Specialization

The real estate industry has many types of appraisers. Commercial appraisers specialize in businesses such as office facilities, hotels, or shopping centers. On the other hand, residential appraisers focus on apartments, single-family homes, or condos.

When selling an apartment, you want an appraiser specializing in apartments, not one who appraises condos or single-family homes. The right appraiser with the right accreditations and experience will give you an accurate home valuation report.

5. Timeline

Before assigning the appraisal task, ask how long preparing the home valuation report will take. A couple or few days is usually a good turnaround time. You don't want to hire a home appraiser who will take ages to provide you with the information you need.

6. Charges

After qualifying the appraiser, the last thing to enquire about is how much they will charge to value the property. Different products cost different prices. Although you get what you pay for, the appraisal cost should not be steep, so beware of companies that charge exorbitantly. Engage a company that will charge you fairly and still offer the best professional service.

If you plan to sell your home and need a professional appraisal, contact East Coast Appraisal Service for excellent service. We look forward to helping you know the worth of your home so you can sell it for a good price.

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