Lang Appraisal Service, LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Lang Appraisal Service, LLC is prepared to answer any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Warren County. Contact us today to talk about how we can help solve your specific valuation problems.

What is an appraisal?
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to request a real estate appraisal?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What does the appraisal report contain?
Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is veritable?
What goes into an appraiser's certification?
Who hires Lang Appraisal Service, LLC
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Warren County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?



What is an appraisal?   (Go to list of  questions)

The method of creating an appraisal report deals with an investigation which leads to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is found using a formal method that typically utilizes the three main "common approaches to value". One of the three is the Cost Approach - which is how much capital would be required to replace the improvements, minus physical deterioration and other factors, then adding the land value. The Sales Comparison Approach involves searching for comparable properties in close proximity and figuring out the value based on comparing those homes to the home being appraised. Generally speaking, the Sales Comparison Approach is the most accurate indicator of market value of a residential property. One of the least common approaches in appraising houses is the Income Approach, which is generally used to find the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraiser forumlates a fair and credible opinion of market value, often in the context of a real estate exchange. Appraisers reveal the details of their professional findings in appraisal reports.


What would cause me to request a real estate appraisal?   (Go to list of  questions)

There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for purchasing an appraisal report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • If you would like to reduce your property tax obligations.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove PMI.
  • To contest high property taxes.
  • To handle an estate.
  • To provide you an edge when purchasing a home.
  • To find the most probable sales price when putting your home on the market.
  • To defend your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
  • Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.
If you need more information regarding the appraisal process, please click here.


How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?   (Go to list of  questions)

Home inspectors do not produce an opinion of value and do not use the same forms as appraisers. A third-party home inspector will inspect the structure of the home, from the roof to the bottom. The usual house inspector's report will include an evaluation of the condition of the home's heating systems, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and accessible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?   (Go to list of  questions)

Simply put, it's night and day. What the CMA depends on are superficial trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. The appraisal report will also include neighborhood and construction prices. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

The person creating the report is frankly the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is created by a real estate agent who may or may not have a true grasp of the market or valuation concepts. A certified, Virginia licensed professional who bases their livelihood on valuing properties in and around Warren County creates the appraisal. Moreover, the appraiser is an independent party, with no vested interest in the value of a home, unlike the real estate agent, who gets a commission based upon the price of the home.

What does the appraisal report contain?   (Go to list of  questions)

Each report must demonstrate a supported value opinion and must clearly state the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the appraisal.
  • Relevant property characteristics, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible considerations.
  • All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
  • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
  • The scope of work considered while working up the job.
For a more in depth view of all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the final number is veritable?   (Go to list of  questions)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must make sure of the following:
  • That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was proper.

  • Whether individually or collectively, there were no significant errors contained in the report, nor any material details left out.

  • That appraisal services were delivered in a careful and judicious manner.

  • That a credible, substantiated appraisal report was imparted.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as experience that must be logged. Likewise, appraisers must follow a stringent industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The tenets for developing an appraisal and reporting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Go to list of  questions) Regulations regarding licensing and certification are different from state to state. However, licensing and certification is commonly associated with many hours of classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he or she must then complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who hires Lang Appraisal Service, LLC   (Go to list of  questions)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical client, needing their services to ensure a home involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for divorce and estate settlements.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Warren County or other areas?   (Go to list of  questions)

Compiling data is one of the primary functions of an appraiser. Data can be split into Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a many places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have data on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. Tax records and other public documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is retrieved from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her collective knowledge gained from doing assignments for other properties in the same market.


What can a full appraisal do for me?   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraisal is a valuable tool whenever the value of your home is relevant to some financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine the price that gets you the most profit but also ensures you don't have to wait too long for a buyer to show up; an appraisal can help with that. When buying, you can avoid overpaying by getting an independent appraisal. For people settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Lang Appraisal Service, LLC is the best documentation to ensure assets are divided evenly. Simply put, a home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value means you can make informed financial decisions.


What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?   (Go to list of  questions)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added plan covers the lender if a borrower is unable to pay on the loan and the value of the house is less than the loan balance. Once you can prove the amount you owe on your home is less than 80% of the home's market value, you can make a case to your lender to drop the PMI.

Is PMI a part of your monthly mortgage payment?Call Lang Appraisal Service, LLC today at (540) 636-2777 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's current value could save you thousands.

Does the appraiser need anything from me in advance?   (Go to list of  questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. What this entails is the appraiser, after setting up an appointment, personally going through the home - recording the layout of the rooms, taking photos and documenting the general status of its amenities. On the home's interior, pick up any clutter and make sure we can find our way to things like furnaces and water heaters. On the outside, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of exterior walls.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available).
  • List of personal property to be sold with the home.
  • Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and wells.
  • A list of any major home improvements and enhancements, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of Insulation or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • A list of "suggested" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

What does "Market Value" mean?   (Go to list of  questions)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair Market Value) is commonly defined as:

"The most probable price (in terms of money) which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: the buyer and seller are typically motivated; both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests; a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale."



Who has rights to the appraisal report?   (Go to list of  questions)

For mortgage transactions, the lender requests the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. Even though it's the buyer that eventually pays for the report, the lender is the intended user. The buyer is entitled to a copy of the appraisal - it's usually bundled with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these cases, the appraiser may state the purpose of the appraisal; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not noted otherwise, the home owner can use the appraisal for any purpose.


I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?   (Go to list of  questions)

It really depends on the market. For example, if you're in a neigborhood of small to medium priced homes, a media room may not be something people in that price range want

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms are right up there with kitchens, returning 85%. On the contrary, an improvement that may not add value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.