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Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC is always willing to handle any inquiries you might have about appraisals in La Salle County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
Why would a person request services from Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
After completing the report, how can I have certainty that the final number is trustworthy?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC get the information used to estimate values in La Salle County or other areas?
How can a licensed appraiser help me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (See list of FAQ's)

An appraisal is an evaluation that concludes with an opinion of value. The appraiser will use a several "approaches," typically three, to arrive at the estimation of market value. The Cost Approach is one of the approaches that appraisers use to find value; it involves finding what the improvements would cost minus physical depreciation, plus the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach involves finding similar houses in close proximity and finding value based on comparing those houses to the house being appraised. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a home. The Income Approach is primarily used for finding the market value of income-producing properties based on what an investor would pay based on the amount of income a property would bring in.

Describe what an appraiser does   (See list of FAQ's)

An appraiser forumlates an unbiased and well supported opinion of market value, in the support of real estate transactions. Appraisers reveal the details of their conclusions in appraisal reports.


Why would a person request services from Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC?   (See list of FAQ's)

There are a lot of reasons to order an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for getting an appraisal include:
  • To receive a loan.
  • To lower your tax burden.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To contest high property taxes.
  • If you need to settle an estate.
  • To offer you a leg-up when purchasing a home.
  • To figure out an honest property value 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.
  • Government agencies such as the IRS need an appraisal on every home.
  • It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.
If you need more information regarding the appraisal process, please click here.


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

The appraiser is not a home inspector and does not do a complete home inspection. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the accessible structure and electrical and mechanical systems of a house, from the top to the foundation. For the most part, a home inspection report will explain 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, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other 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 sugar and saccharin. The CMA depends on indistinct local market trends. The appraisal is reliant on similar definite comparable sales. The appraisal report will also include location and construction values. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the most significant factor is who's creating the report. A CMA is written 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, state licensed professional who has formed their livelihood on valuing real estate in and around La Salle 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 collect only a previously agreed upon fee for work they perform, regardless of their outcome.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?   (See list of FAQ's)

Every appraisal should indicate a supported value opinion and will clearly state the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
  • The intended use of the appraisal.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
  • The effective date of the value opinion.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
  • Pertinent property characteristics, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic factors, the real property interest in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible considerations.
  • All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
  • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
  • What was entailed in the process of completing the assignment.
For a more in depth view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the report, how can I have certainty that the final number is trustworthy?   (See list of FAQ's)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:
  • The appraisal used a suitable analysis of the information.

  • Whether individually or collectively, there were no crucial errors contained in the appraisal, nor any relevant details left out.

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

  • That a believable, defensible appraisal report was conferred.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are education requirements as well as on the jobexperience that must be logged. Likewise, appraisers must obey a stringent industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for carrying out an appraisal and documenting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (See list of FAQ's) Regulations regarding licensing and certification are different from state to state. In general, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she must then engage in continuing education courses so the license remains up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

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

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical customer, needing their services to ensure a home involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC get the information used to estimate values in La Salle County or other areas?   (See list of FAQ's)

Compiling information is one of the primary functions of an appraiser. Data can be described as either Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are gathered by the appraiser while on site.

General data is received from a many sources. To research recently sold homes to be used as "comps", an appraiser will often go to the local Multiple Listing Service. To verify actual sales prices, we use items in the assessor's office and other public documents. Appraisers routinely have to report when a property lies in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other houses in the same market.


How can a licensed appraiser help me?   (See list of FAQ's)

If you're involved in some sort of financial decision and the value of your home is relevant, you'll want to hire a licensed appraiser. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a price that gets you the most profit but also ensures you don't have to wait too long for a buyer to show up; an appraisal can help with that. When buying, you can avoid overpaying by getting an independent appraisal. For those settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC is the best documentation to ensure assets are split up evenly. A house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.


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

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. This supplemental plan guards the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the home is lower than what is owed on the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Did you have less than 20% to put down on your mortgage? Contact Greater Midwest Appraisals, LLC today at 8152500377. You may be able to get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?   (See list of FAQ's)

The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. What this entails is the appraiser, after setting up an appointment, personally going through the home - recording the layout of the rooms, taking photos and documenting the general condition of its amenities. On the home's interior, pick up any clutter and make sure we can access things like furnaces and water heaters. On the outside, trim any landscaping so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

You can make things go faster and improve the quality of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:
  • A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if available).
  • List of personal property to be sold with the home.
  • Most recent real estate tax bill from La Salle and or legal description of the property.
  • Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".

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."



Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?   (See list of FAQ's)

For mortgage transactions, the lender orders the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. 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 hires an appraiser directly. In these situations, the appraiser may stipulate 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.


How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?   (See list of FAQ's)

A home's location - what city it is in and even what part of that city - is key to this popular question. For example, adding a central air conditioner in to a home in the South may add significant value, while putting one in a home near the Pacific Northwest might not have much impact.

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe investment. 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 weren't far behind, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also boost the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become overbuilt for your neighborhood in terms of size.