Entries by Emilie Dover

Three Approaches to Appraisal Value

There are three common methods of determining appraisal value. Home appraisals incorporate established techniques and methods to arrive at consistent and reliable valuations. Appraising relies on these three approaches to determining value for any given piece of property: sales comparison approach, income approach, and the cost approach. These methods vary based on the type of […]

The Importance of Previous Purchases to Appraisers

How much weight do appraisers put toward previous purchases when completing a home appraisal? Often times, looking at the past can help us understand the present. It’s important to consider the factors that impact a previous purchase in the ever-changing market of real estate. An appraiser is required to analyze and report the past 36 […]

How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

The best thing a homeowner can do to prepare for a home appraisal is to ensure an appraiser has easy access to the exterior and interior of the home. The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. An appraiser will record the layout of the rooms, take photos, and document the general condition […]

How Green Home Improvements Can Affect Your Appraisal

Green home improvements are proving to be highly beneficial to home sellers and buyers. According to The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, three recent studies confirm that green homes may sell for more than non-green properties. The Institute recently encouraged home sellers to consider making green home improvements to […]

Differences Between a Home Appraisal and a Home Inspection

Home appraisals and home inspections are two very different things, but both are necessary in the home buying or selling process. Each of them are evaluating the home from two different perspectives. Additionally, the two are very different processes requiring separate skill sets and expertise. What is an Appraisal? The home appraisal is a form […]

4 Tips to Increase Your Kitchen’s Value

When looking to increase your home’s value, the best place to start is the kitchen. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, each year, kitchen renovation projects record the highest return on investment. Statistics show that 75 to 100 percent of kitchen expenditures are recovered when the home is sold. Consider the following tips when […]