Brehm Appraisal Service has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Brehm Appraisal Service is willing to talk to you about any inquiries you might have about appraisals in Franklin County. Contact us today to learn how we can help solve your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
What does an appraiser do?
What are the reasons a person would need your services?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What's in an appraisal report?
Upon completion of the report, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is valid?
How difficult is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does Brehm Appraisal Service get the data used to estimate values in Franklin County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Do you need anything from me in advance?
Define "Market Value"
Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?

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

The process of creating an appraisal report deals with an investigation which leads to an opinion of value. The real estate appraiser must use a number of "approaches," typically three, to draw up the estimation of market value. One of the processes is the Cost Approach - which is what it would cost to replace the improvements, minus physical deterioration and other factors, then adding the land value. The most common approach in finding the value of a home is the Sales Comparison Approach which concerns making a comparison to comparable homes close by. Being the most popular approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is generally the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a residential property. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is of most importance in appraising income producing properties - it deals with estimating what an investor would pay based on the money produced by the property.

What does an appraiser do? (See list of FAQ's)

An appraiser produces a professional, unbiased determination of market value, often in the context of a real estate exchange. Appraisers summarize their professional investigation in appraisal reports.

What are the reasons a person would need your services? (See list of FAQ's)

There are a lot of reasons to obtain an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for getting an report include:

To receive a loan.
To lower your tax burden.
To help a homeowner realize if they owe less than 80% of their home's value and remove PMI.
To contest high property taxes.
To deal with an estate.
To give you an edge when purchasing a home.
To determine a likely property value when listing your home.
To protect 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.
If you are ever involved in a civil case.

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

Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection? (See list of FAQ's)

The appraiser is not a home inspector nor does he/she do a comprehensive home inspection. A third-party home inspector will judge the structure of the house, from the top to the foundation. The standard property inspector's report will include an evaluation of the condition of the property's heating systems, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and accessible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal? (See list of FAQ's)

To be blunt, it's like comparing sugar and saccharin. What the CMA relies upon are vague trends. An appraisal is based on comparable sales that can be validated by records. The appraisal report will also include location and building values. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park 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, who may not have a complete understanding of valuation methods or the entire market, create CMA's. A certified, Ohio licensed professional who bases their livelihood on valuing homes in and around Franklin County creates the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a previously agreed upon fee for work they perform, regardless of their outcome.

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

Every appraisal should reflect a supported estimate of value and must identify the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
The intended use of the appraisal.
The purpose of the appraisal.
The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the value opinion.(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 attributes, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible factors.
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 considered to complete the job.

For a more detailed look at the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Upon completion of the report, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is valid? (See list of FAQ's)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must make sure of the following:

The appraisal used analysis of the information.

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

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

That a solid, substantiated appraisal report was imparted.

There are rigorous classroom and experience requirements that must be met in order to become a licensed appraiser in Ohio. Likewise, appraisers must abide by a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for developing an appraisal and communicating its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(See list of FAQ's) Licensing and certification is achieved through coursework, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he or she must then complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers? (See list of FAQ's)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's most likely 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 divorce and estate settlements.

Where does Brehm Appraisal Service get the data used to estimate values in Franklin County or other areas? (See list of FAQ's)

Compiling data is one of the primary roles of an appraiser. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser while on site.

General data is received from a number of places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide information on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property lies in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

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

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser? (See list of FAQ's)

An appraisal is a worthwhile anytime the value of your home is pertinent to some financial decision. If you're selling your house, an appraisal assists you in setting the most appropriate price. 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. Knowing its true value means you can make informed financial decisions.

My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that? (See list of FAQ's)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. It guards the lender if a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the home is less than the loan balance. 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.


	Did you have less than 20% to put down on your mortgage? Contact Brehm Appraisal Service today at 614 447-8620. You may be able to save money by removing your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

Do you need anything from me in advance? (See list of FAQ's)

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. On the home's interior, pick up any clutter and make sure we can get to things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

You can make things go faster and improve the quality of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if available).
Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
A list of any major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

Define "Market Value" (See list of FAQ's)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair 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."

Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report? (See list of FAQ's)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. 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 allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

The exception to this rule is when a home owner engages an appraiser directly. In these cases, the appraiser may state 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 use the appraisal for any purpose.

Which home renovations add the most to the price? (See list of FAQ's)

It really depends on the market. For example, if you're in a neigborhood of small to medium priced homes, a media room may not be something people in that price range want

As a rule, the best ROI from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms were second, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also boost the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become atypical for your neighborhood in terms of size.