Ken Carroll has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Ken Carroll is more than happy to reply to any concerns you might have about appraisals or real estate in Florence and Boone County. Contact us today to see how we can help solve your specific valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
What does an appraiser do?
Why would I need your services?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
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 appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is trustworthy?
How are appraisers certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does Ken Carroll get the information used to estimate values in Boone County or other areas?
Why do I need a professional appraisal?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?

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

An appraiser performs an estimation that leads to an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the real estate appraiser arrive at this opinion or valuation. The Cost Approach is one of the approaches that real estate appraisers use to find the value of a home; it involves figuring what the improvements would cost minus physical deterioration, adding the land value. Easily the most common approach in finding the likely sales price of a home is the Sales Comparison Approach which concerns figuring a comparison to comparable properties close by. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most definitive and best indicator of value for a residential property. One of the least common approaches in appraising residential properties is the Income Approach, which is mainly used to determine the value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

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

An appraiser generates a fair and credible opinion of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers show their professional findings in appraisal reports.

Why would I need your services? (See list of FAQ's)

There are many reasons to purchase an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for obtaining an report include:

To obtain a loan.
If you would like to lower your property tax obligations.
To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
To challenge improperly assessed property taxes.
To handle an estate.
To give you a negotiating tool when purchasing a home.
To figure out a reasonable price when listing your home.
To protect your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.

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

What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection? (See list of FAQ's)

Appraisers do not do complete house inspections and are not home inspectors. An inspection is a third-party evaluation of the available structure and mechanical systems of a house, from the roof to the bottom. The stereotypical house inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the integrity of the house'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 Shakespeare to reality TV. The CMA relies on vague local market trends. An appraisal relies on comparable sales that can be proven by public record. The appraisal report will also contain neighborhood and building costs. 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.

The person behind the report is frankly the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is created by a real estate agent who may or may not be trained in technical valuation concepts or even have a handle on market trends. The appraisal is produce 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 flat fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report? (See list of FAQ's)

The main objective of an appraisal report is to give a value opinion, and depending on the scope of the report, one will customarily see the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
The intended use of the report.
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 description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights valued, 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.
What was included in the process of completing the appraisal.

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

After completing the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is trustworthy? (See list of FAQ's)

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

The appraisal contained a suitable analysis of the information.

Whether individually or collectively, there were no crucial errors contained in the appraisal, nor any relevant details left out.

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

That a credible, substantiated appraisal report was imparted.

To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as practical experience that must be attained - all with the end goal of gaining the skills required to provide unbiased value opinions. Plus, appraisers must stick to a meticulous industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for working up an appraisal and documenting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(See list of FAQ's) Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses so the license remains current. 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 client, 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 hire appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Ken Carroll get the information used to estimate values in Boone County or other areas? (See list of FAQ's)

One of the most important activities of an appraiser is to assimilate property data. Data can be described as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are gathered by the appraiser while on site.

General data is gathered from a variety of places. To find out about recently sold homes to be used as "comps", we typically go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is retrieved 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 creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.

Why do I need a professional appraisal? (See list of FAQ's)

An appraisal is a valuable tool anytime your home's value is relevant to a financial decision. When selling your house, an appraisal will help you determine the most appropriate price. 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. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value is essential to making wise 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 the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added policy guards the lender in case a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the house 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.


	Does your monthly mortgage payment have a lineitem for PMI?Call Ken Carroll today at 859-512-6551 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's current value could save you thousands.

Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance? (See list of FAQ's)

We begin with an inspection of the property. 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 condition of its features. On the home's interior, make sure it is clutter free and that we can access 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 readily available).
Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo covenants or fees .
A list of any 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).
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (See list of FAQ's)

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."

Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer? (See list of FAQ's)

For mortgage transactions, the lender orders the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. Even though it's the buyer that eventually pays for the report, the lender is the intended user. The buyer is certainly entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not entitled to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

It's different when it's the homeowner engaging the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these scenarios, 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.

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

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. 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, yielding 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also increase 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.