GatewayAppraisals has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

GatewayAppraisals is happy to talk to you about any concerns you might have about appraisals or real estate in Martinsville and Morgan County. Don't hesitate to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to require services from GatewayAppraisals?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the appraisal has been completed, how can I have a guarantee that the final number is accurate?
What does it mean for an appraiser to be licensed?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Morgan County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?
Define "Market Value"
Who actually owns the appraisal report?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraisal is a thought process that concludes with an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which helps the appraiser conclude 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 property, less the depreciation and physical deterioration, plus the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns discovering a comparison to other similar properties within a close vicinity which have recently sold. Usually, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most definite indicator of market value of a residential property. The Income Approach is mainly used for figuring out 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   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraiser generates a professional, unbiased opinion of market value, in the support of real estate exchanges. Appraisers present their professional findings in appraisal reports.


What would cause me to require services from GatewayAppraisals?   (Go to list of  questions)

There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for obtaining an appraisal include:
  • To receive a loan.
  • If you would like to reduce your property tax burden.
  • To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove insurance.
  • To challenge improperly assessed property taxes.
  • If you need to settle an estate.
  • To give you a leg-up when purchasing a home.
  • To find an honest property value when selling real estate.
  • To protect your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
  • Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every house.
  • If you are ever involved in a civil case.
If you need more information about the appraisal process, please click here.


How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?   (Go to list of  questions)

Appraisers do not do provide home inspections and are not home inspectors. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the livable structure and systems of a property, from the roof to the bottom. Generally, a home inspection report will evaluate the amenities and the requirements of the home: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical functions, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural capacity of the home such as the attic, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?   (Go to list of  questions)

Simply, they share nothing in common. The CMA uses market trends to conduct most of their business. An appraisal is based on comparable sales that can be proven by records. The appraisal report will also contain location and construction values. The CMA will provide a non-specific figure. An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

Who's creating the report is hands down the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. 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, Indiana licensed professional who bases a career on valuing homes in and around Morgan County creates the appraisal. Further, the appraiser is an unbiased voice, with no vested interest in the property's value, unlike the agent, whose income is tied to the price of the home.

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

Each appraisal must reflect a believable value opinion and must document the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the appraisal.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
  • Pertinent property attributes, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights in question, 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.
  • The scope of work used when completing the job.
For a more detailed look at what goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the appraisal has been completed, how can I have a guarantee that the final number is accurate?   (Go to list of  questions)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must make sure of the following:
  • That the information analysis implemented in the appraisal was proper.

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

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

  • The final appraisal report was understandable, legitimate and defensible.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as experience that must be logged - all with the objective of being able to provide unbiased value opinions. In addition, appraisers must obey a stringent industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for developing an appraisal and communicating its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


    (Go to list of  questions) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of classroom study, tests and practical experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he or she is required to complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers?   (Go to list of  questions)

Most of the time, appraisers are employed by mortgage lenders to render a value opinion on a home involved in a loan transaction. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

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

One of the most important things an appraiser does is to compile property data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser while on site.

General data is gathered from a variety of places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have information on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. To double-check actual sales prices, we look at tax records and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Appraisers often have to report when a property lies in a flood zone, so that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

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

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraisal is a worthwhile whenever your home's value is pertinent to some financial decision. When selling your house, an appraisal assists you in setting the most appropriate price. When buying, be sure you're not overpaying by commissioning an independent appraisal. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. Simply put, a home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value means you can make informed financial decisions.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?   (Go to list of  questions)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. It covers the lender in case a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the market price of the home is less than what is owed on the loan. Once you can prove the amount you owe on your home is less than 80% of the home's market value, you can make a case to your lender to drop the PMI.

Has your home value appreciated since you first purchased? Call GatewayAppraisals today at (765) 342-3719. You may be able to save money by removing your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

Does the appraiser need anything from the homeowner in advance?   (Go to list of  questions)

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. The best thing you can do to help is make sure the appraiser has easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any landscaping and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. Indoors, make sure the appraiser can easily access items like furnaces and water heaters.

You can make the inspection go faster and improve the accuracy of the appraisal report by having the following things on hand:
  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
  • List of personal property to be sold with the building.
  • Most recent real estate tax bill from Morgan 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).
  • Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo covenants or fees .

Define "Market Value"   (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 actually owns 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 certainly entitled to a copy of the report - 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 situations, the appraiser may state the purpose of the appraisal; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not noted otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?   (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 move. 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%. On the contrary, something that may not add value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.