Birmingham, Alabama
Questions people ask before ordering a Birmingham appraisal
Straight answers to the questions that come up before most calls. If yours is not here, call and ask.
These are the questions people bring to the first call. The answers are short on purpose.
Questions people ask
How do I know which type of appraisal to ask for?
Start with who is waiting for the number and what they will do with it. That usually settles it in a couple of minutes on the phone. If it doesn't, we'll talk it through before anything is scheduled, so you're not paying for the wrong report.
What is an effective date, and why does it keep coming up?
It's the date the value applies to, and it can be today or a day that has already gone by. The sales we compare, the records and the condition of the house all have to match that date, so it's settled first. If you're not sure which date you need, your attorney or accountant will know.
Who is the intended user, and does it matter if someone else reads the report?
The intended users are the people the report is written for, and they are named in it. A report written for one reader and one purpose may not suit someone else. If a second person needs to rely on it, say so on the first call.
What happens during the inspection?
The property is documented with photographs, inside and out: rooms, condition, updates and the lot. Measurements are taken as the job requires. It is not a home inspection, so nothing is tested and you won't get a repair list.
How long does the analysis take?
No day count is published, because it depends on the scope, how soon the house can be opened, the records available and how busy we are. Call with your deadline and you'll get an answer for your house, not a guess.
Can an appraisal be done without going inside?
Sometimes, for certain uses. When that's the case the report says so, and it changes how the number should be read. Whether it fits your situation is something we sort out on the call.
The county record shows the wrong square footage. Is that a problem?
It happens often and it's workable. The county record is where we start, not the last word. Bring plans, permits, an older appraisal or a listing sheet if you have them, and the difference gets checked instead of copied forward.
What documents actually help?
Earlier appraisals, listing sheets, permits, renovation invoices, insurance papers and dated photographs. When the value is for a date that has passed, anything showing the house near that date is the most useful thing you can send.
Do I need a survey or title work?
Usually not. If boundaries, easements or access are unclear, whatever you have helps. Where something can't be confirmed, the report states the assumption plainly rather than presenting it as something we saw.
Will the report be accepted by a court, the IRS or a lender?
No appraiser can promise how another party will treat a report. Ask whoever needs it what they expect, including the form, the scope and who is allowed to order it, before the work starts. Lenders and servicers often have to order the appraisal themselves.
Do you give legal or tax advice?
No. An appraisal is an opinion of what real property is worth. Questions about filings, basis, shares or the law belong with an attorney or a tax professional, and we're glad to work from what they tell you.
Tell us about the house
A short call is the quickest way to find out what you need.
Call (205) 732-7383