KJay Appraisals, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	KJay Appraisals, LLC. is always eager to reply to any concerns you might have about appraisals or real estate in Pasco and Hernando Counties. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

What is an appraisal?
What does an appraiser do?
Why would I request services from KJay Appraisals, LLC.?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the report is done, how can I have a guarantee that the value indicated is trustworthy?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who do appraisers work for?
Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Pasco County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?

What is an appraisal? (Go to list of questions)

An appraisal is an inspection that concludes with an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the real estate appraiser come to this opinion or estimate. One of the methods in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to replace the improvements to the home, less the age and physical dilapidation, plus the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns finding a comparable analysis to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. Being the most popular approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is generally the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a residential property. One of the least common approaches in appraising homes is the Income Approach, which is mainly used to determine the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

What does an appraiser do? (Go to list of questions)

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

Why would I request services from KJay Appraisals, LLC.? (Go to list of questions)

There are a lot of reasons to purchase an appraisal from KJay Appraisals, LLC. with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for obtaining an appraisal include:

To obtain a loan.
To reduce your tax burden.
To help a homeowner realize if they owe less than 80% of their home's value and remove insurance.
To fight improperly assessed property taxes.
If you need to settle an estate.
To give you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
To find a likely sales price when listing your home.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
If you ever find yourself in a civil case.

Click here for a more extensive explanation of the process involved in getting an appraisal.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Go to list of questions)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and he or she does not do a full home inspection. An inspection is a third-party evaluation of the livable structure and appliances of a property, from the roof to the foundation. For the most part, a home inspection report will evaluate the amenities and the requirements 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, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

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

Frankly, it's apples and oranges. The CMA depends on indistinct local market trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. The appraisal report will also contain neighborhood and construction costs. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. Being a documented and carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.

Who's creating the report is frankly the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents, who may not have a complete understanding of valuation methods or the entire market, generate CMA's. A certified, Florida licensed professional who made their livelihood on valuing properties in and around Pasco County creates the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a flat fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What's in an appraisal report? (Go to list of questions)

The main point of an appraisal document is to provide a value opinion, and depending on the scope of the report, you'll usually see the following:

The client and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The reason for the assignment.
Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
The effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.
Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, 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 factors.
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.
The scope of work used to complete the assignment.

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

Once the report is done, how can I have a guarantee that the value indicated is trustworthy? (Go to list of questions)

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 report, nor any relevant details left out.

That appraisal services were rendered in a careful and cognizant fashion.

That a credible, substantiated appraisal report was communicated.

To become a state licensed appraiser, there are intense education requirements as well as real world experience that must be logged. Plus, appraisers must follow a stringent industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for working up an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Go to list of questions) Licensing and certification takes coursework, tests and practical experience. Once licensed, he or she must then take continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who do appraisers work for? (Go to list of questions)

Typically, appraisers are hired by lenders to render a value opinion on property involved in a loan transaction. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Pasco County or other areas? (Go to list of questions)

Gathering information is one of the main things an appraiser does. Data can be split into Specific or General. Specific data is from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are documented by the appraiser while on site.

General data is received from a many places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide data on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often need 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 creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me? (Go to list of questions)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. When selling your home, an appraisal assists you in setting the most appropriate price. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. For parties settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Jay Appraisals, Inc. is the best documentation to ensure assets are 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? (Go to list of questions)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI protects the lender in the event a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the market price of the home 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.


	Does your monthly house payment include a fee for PMI?Call Jay Appraisals, Inc. today at 7278087975 or send us an e-mail, Karakscs@gmail.com. A current appraisal could save you thousands.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal appointment (Go to list of questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. 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. Is there anything you can do to help? Yes there is! First, be sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any bushes and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure the appraiser can get to appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

To help speed things along as well as ensure a more accurate report, attempt if possible to have the following items:

Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
A list of any personal property that is part of the home and you intend to be sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.
A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

What does "Market Value" mean? (Go to 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."

Who has rights to the appraisal report? (Go to list of questions)

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 appraisal - 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.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner engages an appraiser directly. In these cases, the appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.

How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements? (Go to 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.

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, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also boost the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.