The Cary Group has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

The Cary Group is always happy to handle any questions you might have about appraisals or real estate in Davidson County. Contact us today to see how we can help solve your valuation problems.

Define the term "Appraisal"
Describe what an appraiser does
Why would someone require your services?
How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?
Once the appraisal is done, how can I have confidence that the value conclusion is trustworthy?
How are appraisers certified?
Who employs appraisers?
Where does The Cary Group get the data used to estimate values in Davidson County or other areas?
What can a full appraisal do for me?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection
Define "Market Value"
Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?



Define the term "Appraisal"   (Back to top)

The procedure of writing an appraisal deals with an inspection which leads to an opinion of value. This opinion or estimate is arrived at by a formal process that commonly uses three "common approaches to value". One of them is the Cost Approach - which is how much capital would be required to replace the improvements, less physical deterioration and other factors, then adding the land value. Another of the approaches is the Sales Comparison Approach - which involves discovering a comparison to other similar properties within a close vicinity which have recently sold. The Sales Comparison Approach is commonly the most definitive and best indicator of value for a residence. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is of most importance in appraising income producing properties - it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the capital produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (Back to top)

An appraiser offers a fair and credible opinion of market value, in the support of real property exchanges. Appraisers illustate their expert conclusions in appraisal reports.


Why would someone require your services?   (Back to top)

There are many reasons to purchase an appraisal with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for getting an report include:
  • To obtain a loan.
  • If you would like to reduce your property tax obligations.
  • To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove insurance.
  • To fight high property taxes.
  • To settle an estate.
  • To give you a negotiating tool when purchasing a home.
  • To figure out the most probable price when selling real estate.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Government agencies such as the IRS require an appraisal on every home.
  • If you are ever involved in a lawsuit.
If you need more information regarding the appraisal process, please click here.


How is an appraiser different than a home inspector?   (Back to top)

The appraiser is not a home inspector nor does he/she do a full home inspection. A third-party home inspector will judge the structure of the home, from the roof to the foundation. The standard house inspector's report will include an evaluation of the integrity 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.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?   (Back to top)

Frankly, it's like comparing sugar and saccharin. The CMA uses market trends to conduct most of their business. Appraisals use similar sales which are verifiable resources. In addition, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, neighborhood and replacement costs. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." Being a documented and carefully investigated opinion of value, appraisals are defensible and stand up in legal situations.

But the biggest difference is who's creating the report. Real estate agents write CMA's, and they don't always know the whole market or have specific competence when it comes to home valuation. The appraisal is created by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a previously agreed upon fee for work they perform, regardless of their value conclusion.

What can I expect to see in my appraisal report?   (Back to top)

Every appraisal must indicate a supported estimate of value and should identify the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The reason for the assignment.
  • The type of value contained and a definition of the value reported.
  • The effective date of the value opinion.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
  • Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical attributes, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, items that are more or less permanently installed 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 used when completing the job.
For a more comprehensive look at all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the appraisal is done, how can I have confidence that the value conclusion is trustworthy?   (Back to top)

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

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

  • That appraisal services were not rendered in a careless or negligent fashion.

  • The final appraisal report was easy to explain, credible and conclusive.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are intense education requirements as well as practical experience that must be attained. Plus, appraisers must stick to a meticulous industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for carrying out an appraisal and documenting its results are insured by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


    (Back to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification typically translates to many hours of classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she must then take continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who employs appraisers?   (Back to top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical client, using their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does The Cary Group get the data used to estimate values in Davidson County or other areas?   (Back to top)

One of the main activities of an appraiser is to compile property data. Data can be classified as either Specific or General. Specific data is collected from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are noted by the appraiser while on site.

General data is received from a numerous places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have data on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. To verify actual sales prices, we research items in the assessor's office and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Flood zone data is available from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood servers.

And most importantly, the appraiser gathers general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other properties in the same market.

What can a full appraisal do for me?   (Back to top)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. When selling your home, an appraisal will help you determine the most appropriate price. When buying, you can avoid overpaying by getting an independent appraisal. For people settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from The Cary Group is the best documentation to ensure assets are split up fairly. Simply put, a home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.

My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?   (Back to top)

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional plan covers the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the property is less than the loan balance. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Is PMI a part of your monthly mortgage payment?Call The Cary Group today at (615)373-3472 or send us an e-mail. A new appraisal could save you thousands.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection   (Back to top)

The first step in most appraisals is the home 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 condition of its amenities. Is there anything you can do to help? Yes there is! First, be sure the appraiser has easy access to the exterior of the house (gates aren't locked, etc). Trim any landscaping and move any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can easily access items like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.
  • A list of any personal property that will be left behind and sold with the home, such as an oven, or a washer and dryer, if applicable.
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
  • A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
  • A list of "proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "as complete".

Define "Market Value"   (Back to top)

In real estate appraising, 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."

Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?   (Back to top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is entitled to a copy of the report - 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.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner engages an appraiser directly. In these scenarios, the appraiser may define how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?   (Back to top)

A home's location - what city it is in and even what part of that city - is key to this popular question. For example, adding a central air conditioner in to a home in the South may add significant value, while putting one in a home near the Pacific Northwest might not have much impact.

As a rule, the most value returned from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. 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, something that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.