What Questions Should I Ask A Real Estate Appraiser Before Hiring?

Ask questions that confirm the appraiser is properly licensed, experienced with your type of property and location, truly independent, and clear about fees and timing. The goal is to avoid someone who is cheap but unqualified, which can cost you far more in the long run.

License, credentials, and discipline

• What is your license or certification number, and are you licensed/certified in this state?
  (You can verify this with your state regulator.)
• Do you hold any professional designations (e.g., SRA, MAI, IFA) from recognized appraisal organizations?
• Have you ever been disciplined by a licensing board or professional body? If yes, for what and when?

Local and property-specific experience

• How long have you been appraising, and how many appraisals have you completed in this area or ZIP code in the last year?
• Have you appraised properties like mine before (same type: condo/house, size, price range, rural/urban, special features)?
• Where is your office located, and how familiar are you with this neighborhood’s market trends and recent comparable sales?

Scope of work, methods, and standards

• What approach will you primarily use for this assignment (sales comparison, cost, income), and why is it appropriate for my property?
• What factors do you consider most important when valuing a home like mine (condition, upgrades, land value, rental potential, etc.)?
• Do you follow USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and current local regulations for appraisals?

Process, timing, and communication

• What is your typical turnaround time from inspection to completed report, and is there an extra fee for rush work?
• Will you personally inspect the property, and how long do you usually spend at the property during inspection?
• How do you handle questions or concerns if I do not understand or disagree with the final value?

Fees, independence, and references

• What is your fee, what exactly does it cover, and are there any situations where the fee could increase?
• Do you have any financial or personal relationship with the buyer, seller, lender, or agent that could affect your independence?
• Can you provide recent client or agent references for similar assignments (same area or property type)?

These questions should be asked before you commit, and clear, confident answers (without defensiveness) are usually a strong sign you are dealing with a competent professional.