Buying or refinancing
Ask your lender whether an appraisal is required, how it is ordered and who pays. Do this before you hire anyone on your own.
An appraisal does not tell you if a house is a good buy, and it is not an inspection. A cash buyer can still order one for an independent number.
Selling
An agent can give you a market analysis to talk about asking price. That is often enough.
A private appraisal makes sense if the house is unusual, if nearby sales are hard to read, or if you need a report for another reason. Ask yourself what the report would change. A buyer's lender will order its own anyway.
An estate or a divorce
Inherited homes and divorce buyouts often need a value for a specific date. Ask your attorney or tax adviser what they need, then ask us for a quote for that.
The value of the house and the amount owed on the mortgage are two different numbers. Make sure everyone agrees which one the report is for.
Ask what the quote covers
- Which property, which date and what use?
- Who gets the report?
- What is the fee, and when is it due?
- Is anything extra, like testimony, priced separately?
A price you saw online is not a quote for your home. Call (856) 924-6811 and we will give you a real one.
Not sure it is worth it? Read when a home appraisal is worth getting.