JFM APPRAISALS, INC. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	JFM APPRAISALS, INC. is always happy to reply to any inquiries you might have about appraisals in San Antonio and Bexar County. Feel free to contact us today.

What is an appraisal?
What does an appraiser do?
What would cause me to need services from JFM APPRAISALS, INC.?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the report has been completed, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is accurate?
How difficult is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does JFM APPRAISALS, INC. get the information used to estimate values in Bexar County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?

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

An appraisal report is an estimation allowing the appraiser to come to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is found through the use of a formal process that commonly utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". One of them is the Cost Approach - which is how much it would cost to replace the improvements, less physical deterioration and other factors, then adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach deals with searching for comparable properties nearby and discerning value based on comparing those houses to the house in question. Being the most common approach, the Sales Comparison Approach tends to be the most precise and best indicator of market value for a property. One of the least common approaches in appraising homes is the Income Approach, which is commonly used to find 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 determination of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers present their investigation in appraisal reports.

What would cause me to need services from JFM APPRAISALS, INC.? (See list of FAQ's)

There are a lot of reasons to get an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for getting an report include:

To get a loan.
To reduce your tax burden.
To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove PMI.
To fight high property taxes.
To handle an estate.
To offer you an edge when purchasing real estate.
To figure out an honest price when putting your home on the market.
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.
If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.

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

How is an appraiser different than a home inspector? (See list of FAQ's)

Appraisers do not do complete residential property inspections and are not home inspectors. An inspection is a third-party evaluation of the livable structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the bottom. Usually, a home inspection report will discuss the amenities and the requirements of the house: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical services, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural capacity of the home such as the attic, visible 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)? (See list of FAQ's)

Frankly, it's like comparing broadband and dial-up. What the CMA depends on are vague trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. The appraisal report will also include area and building prices. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the largest differentiator is who's creating the report. 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. A certified, Texas licensed professional who bases a career on valuing homes in and around Bexar County creates the appraisal. 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 accept a flat sum for work they perform, regardless of their outcome.

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

Each appraisal must demonstrate a believable estimate of value and will identify the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The reason for the appraisal.
The type of value contained and a definition of that value.
The effective date of the value opinion.
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic attributes, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible items.
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 activity of completing the job.

For a more comprehensive view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the report has been completed, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is accurate? (See list of FAQ's)

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

That the information analysis utilized in the appraisal was appropriate.

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

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

That a credible, substantiated appraisal report was imparted.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet considerable education and experience requirements that give us the background to produce an unbiased opinion. Plus, appraisers must stick to a strict industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for working up an appraisal and documenting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(See list of FAQ's) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers are different from state to state. In general, licensing and certification is commonly associated with many hours of coursework, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses in order to keep the license up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

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

Most of the time, appraisers are hired by lenders to estimate the value of property involved in a loan transaction. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does JFM APPRAISALS, INC. get the information used to estimate values in Bexar County or other areas? (See list of FAQ's)

Gathering data is one of the primary things an appraiser does. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is received from a numerous sources. To look up 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 routinely 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 product.

And most importantly, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me? (See list of FAQ's)

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 figure out a price that gets you the most profit but doesn't leave your home on the market too long; 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. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it? (See list of FAQ's)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional policy takes care of the lender in case a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the property is less than the balance of the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.


	The money you keep from dropping the PMI required when you got your mortgage pays for the appraisal in no time. JFM APPRAISALS, INC. has years of experience with real estate value trends in San Antonio and Bexar County. Contact us today.

How do I get ready for the appraiser? (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 find our way to things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any landscaping so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:

Any information on the purchase of the property for the last three years.
Title policy that describes encroachments or easements.
Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
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).
Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property.

What does "Market Value" mean? (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."

Who has rights to the appraisal report? (See list of FAQ's)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. Even though it's the buyer that eventually pays for the report, the lender is the intended user. 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these situations, the appraiser may define how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stipulated otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.

I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating? (See list of FAQ's)

The answer to this is different depending upon the location of the home. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. 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.