Q  Who needs an appraiser?
A   Attorneys need appraisers for: estate resolution and planning, tax appeals, bankruptcy, divorce settlements, boundary disputes, and expert witness testimony.

       Lending institutes and mortgage brokers need appraiser for: commercial, residential, and industrial real estate, land/farms. 1st and 2nd trusts, equity lines, and relocation.

       Private individuals and businesses may need appraisers for: relocation, PMI release, estate planning and settlement, divorce settlement,tax appeals, boundary disputes, rights-of-way, and condemnations.

Q  Why should I get an appraisal?
A   There are several reasons for having an appraisal completed by a certifies independent fee appraiser, they are:
•  To obtain a professional estimate of the market value of a home or property you wish to buy or sell
•  To ensure that a purchaser doesn't pay more for a property than it's worth.
•  To obtain a qualified opinion of value for mortgage or lending purposes
•  To provide investors with adequate information upon which to base investment decisions
•  An expert's opinion of value of a home or other property can be the basis for "just compensation" (as defined by law) in cases where property is to be taken for future public use as in a expropriation, and
•  An appraisal may be utilized as evidence for a municipal assessment appeal.

Q  Do you have the expertise to perform all of these services?
A   Yes. I have a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in real estate. I have achieved the designations of SRA and MAI from the Appraisal Institute, and a Level IV certification from the state of Maryland and Washington, D.C. In addition, my 35 years of experience in real estate enables me to provide expert, efficient service to our customers.

Q  How much does an appraisal cost?
A  Cost varies according to the type of appraisal requested or needed. Experience has shown us how long it takes to appraise a typical property. We know that commercial, industrial, and other types of appraisers take longer, requiring more research and time spent in preparation. We are always happy to quote our fees in advance and give an estimate of delivery of the finished product.

Q  How can a homeowner be prepared for the appraiser's visit?
A   There are several things a homeowner can do to assist the appraiser. Have a copy of the survey or house location plat available upon his/her arrival. In advance, make a list of any major improvements done to the property in the last five years. It is helpful to point these improvements out to the appraisers, but a list will be a handy reference when the appraiser get back to the office and begins to write his report. Understand that it is important for the appraiser to be able to visit the property during the day, affording him the best possible light and time to take pictures of the property and other properites in the vicinity that will serve as comparables.