Importance of the Appraisal

Importance of the Appraisal

Over the past 5 years many areas in the country have seen sharp declines in home values. Thankfully, that trend is starting to reverse. For this reason, most lenders are placing a lot of scrutiny on an appraisal for people considering a refinance. The appraisal is designed to ensure that the value assigned to the home matches the local market.

Basic Definition

The definition of an appraisal is that it represents the market price of a home. This is the estimated price which a seller and buyer would agree upon in a arm’s length sale. Arm’s length means the buyer and seller are not related to one another and undertaking the transaction on their own free will.

Each Home is Unique

Although two homes may sit beside each other in the same neighborhood, they could be vastly different. One may have a basement while the other is built on a concrete slab. One home may have a swimming pool and the other home may not have a yard big enough for a large car. An appraiser will look at the subject home and take down lots of notes about the size and features of similar homes in the area. The important key is that the subject home is compared to similar homes that have recently sold, usually in the last 6 months. This indicates what the market will bear for that kind of home in that same area.

Total Report

Once the appraisal is complete, the appraiser will compile a report and submit it to the lender. This report will have notes about the home’s location, general comments about the area and the detailed info about the home. Items like original build date, square footage and location of the home on a map will be listed. In addition, the other homes used in the appraisal, known as comparable sales, will be listed in detail on the map and in the final report.


For additional information, visit our refinance page on our main site or view our current mortgage rates. To see if you qualify, contact me below or apply online!
by Aiman Abozeid

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate with Lisa Bear

Thank you for visiting.  Please feel free to contact me for any of your real estate needs including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home if you are a buyer. My real estate focus in the  Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, Lake Country, Jefferson County, Dodge County and Washington County areas.  I have my IRES designation (International Real Estate Specialist) so I can assist you with all your real estate needs in Wisconsin, the USA or anywhere in the WORLD!
When you are seriously looking or just browsing at real estate in Wisconsin, I am a great resource to help you with all your needs and questions, whether a first time home buyer, relocating to or from the beautiful LAKE COUNTRY area, looking to invest or explore foreclosure opportunities or just thinking ahead to the future.

Lisa Bear of RE/MAX (262-893-5555) is an experienced real estate agent in Waukesha County and the entire Milwaukee Metro area including:

The prospering communities of Waukesha County including Delafield, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Sussex, Wales, New Berlin, Dousman, North Prairie, Mukwonago, Chenequa, Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Okauchee, Eagle, Muskego and Merton.
Great municipalities in Milwaukee County including Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Glendale, Franklin, Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Greendale, Shorewood, Oak Creek, St. Francis, West Allis and Whitefish Bay.
The hometown favorites of Washington County, Jefferson County and Dodge County including Watertown, Hartford, West Bend, Germantown, Jackson, Richfield, Ashippun, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Slinger and Erin.

Real Estate in Wisconsin is an excellent investment!
 

 "HELPING YOU MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION"