Homeowner Appraisal Services

If you're refinancing or applying for a home equity loan or line of credit, your lender will order the appraisal, either directly or through an appraisal management company (AMC). Federal appraiser independence rules require this, which helps make sure the value is objective. You can't hire the appraiser for these loans yourself, but if you'd like a local appraiser who knows your market, you're welcome to let your lender know we're available.

Appraisal Associates is on the approved appraiser lists of local lenders and most national lenders and AMCs. Lenders who don't yet work with us can request our credentials and sample reports, and we'll get them what they need for approval promptly.

Pricing your home is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a seller. Price it too high and it can sit on the market; price it too low and you leave money on the table. A pre-listing appraisal gives you an independent, professional opinion of value before your home goes on the market.

If you're selling on your own, the appraisal gives you a well-supported asking price and documentation to share with buyers. If you're working with a real estate agent, it complements their Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) with a full, independent analysis, giving you and your agent a solid foundation for setting the list price.

Your report includes an accurate measurement of your home, a description of its features and condition, and a detailed analysis of the most recent and similar comparable sales. It can also help you anticipate the buyer's appraisal and negotiate with confidence. As independent appraisers, we have no stake in your sale. We'll tell you what the market supports, not just what you hope to hear.

PMI (private mortgage insurance) protects the lender when a home is bought with less than 20% down. Once you've built enough equity, through payments, improvements or rising values, your lender may let you remove it, which lowers your monthly payment. Most lenders require a new appraisal to confirm current value. Call your lender first to ask what loan-to-value they require and whether they'll accept an appraisal you order, or need to order it themselves.

Dividing property during a divorce is difficult, and the home is often the largest asset involved. Whether one spouse is keeping the house or it's being sold, both parties need a fair, well-supported value they can rely on.

We provide independent appraisals for divorcing couples, attorneys and mediators. Because we have no stake in the outcome, our opinion of value can be relied on by both sides, and many couples choose to share a single appraisal. When the court or the parties set a specific valuation date, we can provide a retrospective value as of that date. Our appraisers are also available to testify when needed.

We understand these assignments can be stressful. We handle every one with discretion and professionalism, and we'll work with both parties to schedule the inspection.

Sometimes you just want the peace of mind of a second opinion, we offer this in the form of Field and Desktop Reviews.

• Field Reviews: We visit the subject property and view the comparable sales from the street, then review the report for errors in the facts reported and in how the value opinion was developed.
• Desk Reviews: We review the report without a site visit, verifying its data against public records and NCMLS to confirm it is accurate and the analysis is supported.