Q:  What area or areas do you provide appraisal services?

A:  Our service area includes Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano counties. During our careers as residential real estate appraisers, we have performed appraisal services in most cities and counties from Sacramento to Modesto. However, most of the experience and work has come from the three counties listed above. Therefore, we primarily serve these three counties but will sometimes accept assignments outside of this area depending on the location, assignment, distance, traffic, etc. 

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Q:  How long does an appraisal inspection take?

A:  The time it takes varies based on the size and complexity of measuring the residence, as well as how long the appraiser may spend answering the homeowner's questions. Typically, an inspection can take as little as 20-30 minutes, or up to an hour or so for very large or complex houses. 

 

Q:  What does the term "effective date" of an appraisal mean? 

A:  Every appraisal has an effective date. The effective date may be the date the property is inspected or it can mean any specific date prior to (retrospective), or in the future (prospective), of the inspection date. This effective date is the specific day the opinion of value applies. The reason the value is effective only on a specific dates is that value can literally change from day to day, based on the comparable properties available at any given time. 

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Q:  How does an appraiser select which comparable properties to use to determine the value of property?

A:  There are several industry standards that are used in order to find the best comparable properties. Parameters for selecting comparable properties may include, but not be limited to the following: within one-mile of the subject property; gross living are within 25% of the subject; closed sales within six-months of the effective date of the appraisal; age within 30% of the subject; etc. Every appraisal is different, so in some cases when comparables are plentiful, these parameters may be tightened in order to find the best comparables. Conversely, in some cases when there are fewer available comparables, the parameters may be expanded in order to have enough comparables to produce a credible result.