Vista Point Appraisals

HOME SERVICES CONTACT US FAQ

Common Questions

Which version of Adobe Acrobat Reader do I need?
You must have at least Adobe Acrobat 5.0 to open and print our pdf documents. We use this version because of the high level of security protection it provides for your appraisal reports.

What is your fee for an appraisal?
Every appraisal is a custom product created specifically for the property you requested. Each appraisal fee is determined based on property location and complexity. Our base fee is $250.00.

Are you certified?
Yes, all appraisers in our office are certified appraisers.

Do you do new construction appraisals?
Yes, we have several years experience in new construction appraisals and in their complexities.

What is your turn-around time?
Our typical turn-around time is 2 to 4 days starting from when we visit the property. Emergency turn-around can be requested and will be accomodated when possible.

When do you need an appraisal?

When you buy, sell, or refinance, real estate appraisals have become an understood and accepted part of all real estate transactions. These situations below would also require the services of state-certified, licensed, independent real estate home appraisers.

Real Estate Pre-Sale Decisions

A real estate appraisal can answer a homeowner's question of "How much should I sell my house for?", as well as other important questions such as, "Should I remodel the kitchen?", "Should I landscape the front yard or paint the whole house?" -- house projects you undertake that affect the value of your home. Real estate home appraisers can step in and help make these important decisions. Unlike a real estate agent, a home appraiser has no vested interest in the amount a house sells for. The real estate home appraiser's fee is based on his appraisal efforts and expertise, not a percentage of the home's sales price. Therefore, seeking a professional real estate appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price for their home.

PMI Removal

Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI insures the lender against any loss arising from the borrower’s default (non-payment) on the mortgage loan. PMI is usually required when the borrower’s down payment or home equity is less than 20%. Private Mortgage Insurance is the private sector equivalent of FHA insurance on government loans. This additional PMI payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the mortgage loan - whether through market appreciation or principal paydown - dips below the 80% LTV level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Many real estate home appraisers offer a specific home appraisal service for homeowners that believe they have met the 80% loan-to-value requirement. For a nominal fee, the home appraiser can provide you with a statement regarding the home value. A real estate home appraisal can help eliminate the need for PMI once the 80% LTV (loan-to-value) condition has been met. The costs of these real estate appraisal services are very often recovered in just a few months of not paying the Private Mortgage Insurance.

Property Tax Challenges

Tax assessors seem to always be on the high end of the scale when it comes to determining the value of your home. Challenging the tax assessment has become an annual ritual for many homeowners. Unfortunately, most homeowners go into these property challenges unarmed. They may pull some information from the Internet to support their claims for a lower tax assessment, but they have no real basis other than: ''The house wasn't worth that much last year.''

A real estate home appraiser can help in these property tax challenges. While it may not be economical to commission a full real estate home appraisal to deduct a few hundred off your property tax bill, oftentimes, a real estate home appraiser can do a limited appraisal or neighborhood analysis for much less. These real estate appraisal documents can carry a lot of weight when you appear before a tax appeals board.

Estate Planning, Liquidation or Divorce

The loss of a loved one or a divorce can be particularly traumatic experiences in one's life. These events are often complicated by having to make difficult decisions regarding the disposition of an estate. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these estate issues. Also, a home or other real property can make up a disproportionate share of the total estate value.

In these situations, real estate home appraisers can also help. Understanding an estate's true value is the first step in fairly disposing an estate. Where real estate property is involved, the real estate home appraiser can help determine the true value. Arrangements can more easily be arrived at among disputing parties when the property value is known. Everyone walks away knowing they've received a fair deal in the transaction.

	Which version of Adobe Acrobat Reader do I need? You must have at least Adobe Acrobat 5.0 to open and print our pdf documents. We use this version because of the high level of security protection it provides for your appraisal reports.
	What is your fee for an appraisal? Every appraisal is a custom product created specifically for the property you requested. Each appraisal fee is determined based on property location and complexity. Our base fee is $250.00.
	Are you certified? Yes, all appraisers in our office are certified appraisers.
	Do you do new construction appraisals? Yes, we have several years experience in new construction appraisals and in their complexities.
	What is your turn-around time? Our typical turn-around time is 2 to 4 days starting from when we visit the property. Emergency turn-around can be requested and will be accomodated when possible.