Premiere Appraisals, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Premiere Appraisals, LLC is always happy to handle any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Carlsbad and Eddy County. Contact Premiere Appraisals, LLC today to see how we can help solve your specific valuation problems.

Describe an appraisal
What does an appraiser do?
What are the reasons a person would need a real estate appraisal?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value indicated is valid?
What goes into an appraiser's certification?
Who employs appraisers?
Where does Premiere Appraisals, LLC get the information used to estimate values in Eddy County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment
What is "Market Value?"
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?



Describe an appraisal   (Back to top)

The process of producing an appraisal report deals with an estimation which leads to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is figured by a formal process that commonly utilizes three "common approaches to value". One of the processes is the Cost Approach - which is how much capital would be required to replace the improvements, less physical deterioration and other factors, plus the land value. Easily the most common approach in figuring the likely sales price of a house is the Sales Comparison Approach which deals with making a comparison to comparable homes close by. Generally speaking, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most definite indicator of market value of a house. The Income Approach is primarily used for determining the market value of income-producing properties based on what an investor would pay based on the amount of capital a property produce.

What does an appraiser do?   (Back to top)

An appraiser produces an impartial and well justified determination of market value, often in the context of a real estate sale. Appraisers reveal the details of their professional investigation in appraisal reports.


What are the reasons a person would need a real estate appraisal?   (Back to top)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal from Premiere Appraisals, LLC with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for ordering an appraisal include:
  • To obtain a loan.
  • To reduce your tax burden.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To fight improperly assessed property taxes.
  • To handle an estate.
  • To provide you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
  • To determine a reasonable sales price when listing your home.
  • To defend your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
  • Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.
Click here for a more detailed explanation of the process about getting an appraisal.


Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?   (Back to top)

Appraisers do not do provide house inspections and are not home inspectors. A third-party home inspector will evaluate the structure of the house, from the top to the foundation. Generally, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the necessities of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical functions, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?   (Back to top)

Frankly, it's like comparing sugar and saccharin. The CMA utilizes market trends to create most of their business. Appraisals use comparable sales which are verifiable resources. The appraisal report will also contain area and construction values. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." Being a documented and carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.

The credentials of the person creating the report is frankly the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. 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 created by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a flat fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What's in an appraisal report?   (Back to top)

Every report should reflect a believable value opinion and will clearly state the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The purpose of the appraisal.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the value opinion.
  • Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible considerations.
  • Any 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 when completing the appraisal.
For a more detailed view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value indicated is valid?   (Back to top)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:
  • That the information analysis implemented in the appraisal was suitable.

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

  • That appraisal services were not rendered in a careless or negligent manner.

  • The final appraisal report was easy to explain, credible and conclusive.
To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet intense education and experience requirements that train us to formulate an unbiased opinion. Likewise, appraisers must follow a meticulous industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for working up an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Back to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification is commonly associated with many hours of coursework, tests and practical experience. Once licensed, he or she is required to engage in continuing education courses in order to keep the license up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who employs appraisers?   (Back to top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical client, requesting their services to ensure property involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does Premiere Appraisals, LLC get the information used to estimate values in Eddy County or other areas?   (Back to top)

Gathering information is one of the primary tasks an appraiser engages in. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is gathered from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are documented by the appraiser while on site.

General data is collected from a number of places. To find out about recently sold homes to be used as "comps", an appraiser will typically go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is available from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood system.

And most importantly, the appraiser assimilates general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other properties in the same market.


What can a full appraisal do for me?   (Back to top)

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 the price that gets you the most profit but also ensures you don't have to wait too long for a buyer to show up; an appraisal can help with that. 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. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.


What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?   (Back to top)

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional policy covers the lender if a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the house 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.

The savings from dropping your PMI pays for the appraisal in a matter of months. Nobody is more qualified than Premiere Appraisals, LLC when it comes to analyzing real estate appreciation in Carlsbad and Eddy County. Contact us today.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment   (Back to top)

We begin with an inspection of the property. During this process, we 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. Is there anything you can do to help? Yes there is! First, be sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any bushes and move any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure. Indoors, make sure we can easily access appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

To help speed things along plus ensure a more accurate report, attempt if possible to have the following items:
  • Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
  • Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • A list of "proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

What is "Market Value?"   (Back to top)

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?   (Back to top)

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 entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually bundled with all the other closing documents - but is not entitled to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

The exception to this rule is when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these cases, the appraiser may state the purpose of the appraisal; 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?   (Back to top)

This really depends on where the home is. For example, if you live in a cold region, insulated windows can be a real plus. But they aren't as attractive in a warm-weather climate.

As a rule, the most value returned from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. 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 were second, yielding 85%. On the contrary, something that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.