Huffstetler and Company has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Huffstetler and Company is ready to handle any inquiries you might have about appraisals in Houston and Harris County. Feel free to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons someone would require a real estate appraisal?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
Once the appraisal has been delivered, what assurance is there that the value indicated is legitimate?
How hard is it to become certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does Huffstetler and Company get the information used to estimate values in Harris County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (List of questions)

The method of performing an appraisal report consists of an estimation which leads to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is found by using a formal method that usually utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". One of the processes in use is the Cost Approach, which finds what it would cost to replace the improvements to the home, minus depreciation and physical deterioration, adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach deals with searching for comparable homes in close proximity and discerning value based on making a comparison of those homes to the house being investigated. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most definitive and best indicator of value for a house. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is the most important method in appraising income producing properties - it deals with estimating what an investor would pay based on the income generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (List of questions)

An appraiser forumlates a professional, unbiased determination of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers exhibit their findings in appraisal reports.


What are the reasons someone would require a real estate appraisal?   (List of questions)

There are many reasons to order an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for getting an appraisal include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • To lower your tax burden.
  • To build a case for a homeowner's equity and remove insurance.
  • To fight inflated property taxes.
  • To settle an estate.
  • To offer you a leg-up when purchasing a home.
  • To determine a likely property value when selling your home.
  • 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 home.
  • If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.
Click here for a more extensive explanation of the process about getting an appraisal.


How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?   (List of questions)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and he or she does not do a complete home inspection. The point of a home inspection is to investigate the structure of the house from bottom to attic. The archetypal property inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

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

To be blunt, it's like comparing sugar and saccharin. The CMA utilizes market trends to conduct most of their business. An appraisal relies on comparable sales that can be validated by public record. The appraisal report will also include location and building values. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

The credentials of the person behind the report is actually the most significant difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents, who may not have a complete understanding of valuation methods or the entire market, create CMA's. A certified, Texas licensed professional who has formed a career on valuing properties in and around Harris County creates the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a flat fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?   (List of questions)

Each appraisal should indicate a credible estimate of value and must identify the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
  • The intended use of the report.
  • The purpose of the assignment.
  • 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!)
  • Relevant property characteristics, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures 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 job.
For a more comprehensive look at the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the appraisal has been delivered, what assurance is there that the value indicated is legitimate?   (List of questions)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must ensure the following:
  • The appraisal used an appropriate analysis of the data.

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

  • That appraisal services were delivered in a careful and cognizant manner.

  • That a solid, defensible appraisal report was communicated.
To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet intense education and experience requirements that prepare us to produce an unbiased opinion. Likewise, appraisers must abide by a stringent industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for developing an appraisal and documenting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


    (List of questions) Licensing and certification is achieved through coursework, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he/she is required to engage in 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?   (List of questions)

Commonly, appraisers are employed by mortgage lenders to estimate the value of property involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the real estate is truly adequate collateral for the loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Huffstetler and Company get the information used to estimate values in Harris County or other areas?   (List of questions)

One of the most important things an appraiser does is to collect data. Data can be classified as either Specific or General. Specific data is collected from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is received from a variety of sources. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide information on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. To verify actual sales prices, we research items in the assessor's office and other public documents. Appraisers often need 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 product.

And last but not least, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me?   (List of questions)

If you're involved in any kind 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 figure out the 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. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value is essential to making wise financial decisions.

My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?   (List of questions)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI guards the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the home is lower than the loan balance. 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.

The savings from cancelling your PMI pays for the appraisal in no time. Huffstetler and Company is a name you can trust when it comes to real estate value trends in Houston and Harris County. Contact us today.

How do I get ready for the appraiser?   (List of questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. During this process, the appraiser 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 we have easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any bushes and move any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can get to items like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
  • List of personal property to be sold with the building.
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
  • 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 when the property is being appraised "as complete".

What does "Market Value" mean?   (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?   (List of questions)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. 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 certainly 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.

It's different when it's the homeowner engaging the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these situations, the appraiser may define 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 do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Which home renovations add the most to the price?   (List of questions)

The answer to this is different depending upon the location of the home. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

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 are right up there with kitchens, returning 85%. On the contrary, something that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.