TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC is always willing to elaborate on any questions you might have about appraisals in Ocean County. Feel free to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons I would request services from TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
After completing the appraisal, how can I have a guarantee that the final number is valid?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC get the data used to estimate values in Ocean 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?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection
Define "Market Value"
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (List of questions)

An appraisal is a thought process leading to an opinion of value. The real estate appraiser will use a number of "approaches," typically three, to come to the estimation of market value. The Cost Approach is one of the approaches that real estate appraisers use to find value; it involves figuring what the improvements would cost less physical degradation, plus the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach deals with searching for similar homes in the vicinity and figuring out the value based on comparing those prior sales to the property being investigated. Being the most popular approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is considered the most precise and best indicator of market value for a house. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is the best method in appraising income producing properties - it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the money generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (List of questions)

An appraiser generates a fair and credible opinion of market value, in the support of real estate transactions. Appraisers show their professional analysis in appraisal reports.


What are the reasons I would request services from TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC?   (List of questions)

There are many reasons to order an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for purchasing an appraisal report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • To lower your tax burden.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove insurance.
  • To challenge improperly assessed property taxes.
  • If you need to take care of an estate.
  • To give you an edge when purchasing real estate.
  • To figure out the most probable property value when listing your home.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Government agencies such as the IRS need an appraisal on every house.
  • If you ever find yourself in a civil case.
If you need a more detailed explanation of the appraisal process, please click here.


Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?   (List of questions)

Home inspectors do not provide an opinion of value and do not use the same forms as appraisers. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the accessible structure and electrical and mechanical systems of a home, from the roof to the bottom. Commonly, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the necessities of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical systems, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, visible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?   (List of questions)

Simply put, it's like comparing Shakespeare to reality TV. The CMA uses market trends to generate most of their business. The appraisal is based on specific proven comparable sales. The appraisal report will also include area and construction 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 hands down the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is written by a real estate agent who may or may not have a true grasp of the market or valuation concepts. A certified, state licensed professional who bases their livelihood on valuing real estate in and around Ocean County is behind the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a previously agreed upon fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?   (List of questions)

The main point of an appraisal document is to let the reader know the value of the real estate in question, 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 purpose of the appraisal.
  • The type of value reported and a definition of that value.
  • The effective date of the value opinion.
  • Pertinent property attributes, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, items that are more or less permanently installed and even intangible items.
  • All 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 entailed in the process of completing the job.
For a more detailed view of all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the appraisal, how can I have a guarantee that the final number is valid?   (List of questions)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:
  • The appraisal used a suitable analysis of the data.

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

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

  • The final appraisal report was understandable, credible and conclusive.
There are rigorous classroom and experience requirements that must be adhered to in order to get an appraisal license in New Jersey. Likewise, appraisers must abide by a meticulous industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for carrying out an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (List of questions)

Licensing and certification requires classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she is required to take 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?   (List of questions)

Most of the time, appraisers are employed by lenders to render a value opinion on property involved in a loan transaction. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC get the data used to estimate values in Ocean County or other areas?   (List of questions)

One of the primary activities of an appraiser is to collect property data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a numerous sources. To research recently sold homes to be used as "comps", we typically use the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other courthouse documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often have to report when a property is in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, 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?   (List of questions)

If you're making any kind of financial decision and the value of your home is relevant, you'll want to hire a licensed appraiser. 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. When buying, be sure you're not overpaying by commissioning an independent appraisal. For those settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC is the best way to ensure assets are divided properly. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value is essential to making the right financial decisions.


My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?   (List of questions)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI takes care of the lender if a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the property is lower than the loan balance. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Has your home value appreciated since you first purchased? Call TNC APPRAISAL SERVICE INC today at 609-978-1874. You may be able to cancel your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection   (List of questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. 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 get to things like furnaces and water heaters. On the outside, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of exterior walls.

To help expedite our work as well as ensure a more accurate report, try if possible to have the following items:
  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
  • List of personal property to be sold with the building.
  • Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property.
  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • Find copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.

Define "Market Value"   (List of questions)

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?   (List of questions)

For mortgage transactions, the lender requests 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 certainly entitled to a copy of the appraisal - 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner engaging the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these situations, the appraiser may define the purpose of the appraisal; 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.


Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?   (List of questions)

The answer to this is different depending upon the location of the home. 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 best ROI 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 are right up there with kitchens, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also increase the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become overbuilt for your neighborhood in terms of size.