Wideman Appraisal Service, INC. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Wideman Appraisal Service, INC. is ready to elaborate on any concerns you might have about appraisals in Gratiot County. Feel free to contact us today.

Describe an appraisal
Describe what an appraiser does
What are the reasons I would request your services?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?
My agent performed a CMA for me. Is that the same as an appraisal?
What does the appraisal report contain?
Once the report is done, what assurance is there that the value indicated is veritable?
What does it mean for an appraiser to be licensed?
Who do appraisers work for?
Where does an appraiser get the data used to estimate values in Gratiot County or other areas?
How can a licensed appraiser help me?
My mortgage statement has an item on it for PMI? Can I get rid of that?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Once complete, who actually owns the appraisal report?
How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?



Describe an appraisal   (Go to list of  questions)

The method of performing an appraisal report consists of an evaluation which forms an opinion of value. The real estate appraiser must use a few "approaches," typically three, to conclude the estimation of market value. The Cost Approach is one of the approaches that appraisers use to find the value of a house; it involves figuring what the improvements would cost without physical degradation, adding the land value. The most common approach in figuring the likely sales price of a home is the Sales Comparison Approach which involves making a comparison to similar houses nearby. Being the most commonly used approach, the Sales Comparison Approach tends to be the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a home. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is the best method in appraising income producing properties - it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the money generated by the property.

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

An appraiser produces an objective and well supported assessment of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers demonstrate their expert investigation in appraisal reports.


What are the reasons I would request your services?   (Go to list of  questions)

There are many reasons to obtain an appraisal from Wideman Appraisal Service, INC. with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for ordering an report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • To reduce your tax burden.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To challenge inflated property taxes.
  • To settle an estate.
  • To offer you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
  • To determine a likely property value when listing your home.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • If you ever find yourself in a lawsuit.
For a more extensive description of the appraisal process click here.


What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?   (Go to list of  questions)

Home inspectors do not generate an opinion of value and are not appraisers. A third-party home inspector will investigate the structure of the property, from the top to the bottom. Usually, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the requirements of the house: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical services, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural capacity of the home such as the attic, accessible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

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

Frankly, they have nothing in common. The CMA relies on vague trends in the market. An appraisal relies on comparable sales that can be verified by public record. The appraisal report will also include location and construction costs. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

The credentials of the person creating the report is actually the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is created by a real estate agent who may or may not be trained in technical valuation concepts or even have a handle on market trends. The appraisal is produce by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Further, the appraiser is an unbiased party, with no vested interest in the property's value, 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)

The main objective of an appraisal report is to let the reader know the value of the real estate in question, and depending on the scope of the report, you'll usually see the following:
  • The client and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The reason for the assignment.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the value opinion.
  • Pertinent property attributes, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic attributes, the real property interest valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible considerations.
  • All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
  • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
  • The scope of work used to complete the assignment.
For a more comprehensive view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


Once the report is done, what assurance is there that the value indicated is veritable?   (Go to list of  questions)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:
  • That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was proper.

  • That substantial errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.

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

  • The final appraisal report was transparent, legitimate and not easily discredited.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as real world experience that must be logged. Likewise, appraisers must follow a meticulous industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for developing an appraisal and documenting 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 vary from state to state. In general, licensing and certification is commonly associated with many hours of coursework, tests and real world experience. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who do appraisers work for?   (Go to list of  questions)

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

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

Collecting data is one of the main tasks an appraiser performs. Data can be described as either Specific or General. Specific data is collected from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are documented by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a variety of sources. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide data on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables. To double-check actual sales prices, we use tax records and other public documents that are usually online nowadays. Appraisers routinely need to report when a property lies in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood product.

And most importantly, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her past experience in creating appraisals for other properties in the same market.


How can a licensed appraiser help me?   (Go to list of  questions)

An appraisal is a valuable tool whenever the value of your home is relevant to a financial decision. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a price that gets you the most profit but doesn't leave your home on the market too long; an appraisal can help with that. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. For parties settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Wideman Appraisal Service, INC. is the best way to ensure assets are divided fairly. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.


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

PMI is short for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This additional policy takes care of the lender in case a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the market price of the house is lower than what is owed on the loan. 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 something increasing your monthly house payment?Call Wideman Appraisal Service, INC. today at 989 875 4544 or send us an e-mail. A current appraisal could save you thousands.

How do I get ready for the appraiser?   (Go to list of  questions)

We start with an inspection of the property. During this process, we will come to your home and measure it, determine the layout of the rooms inside, confirm all aspects of the home's general condition, and take several photos of your house for inclusion in the report. Inside, pick up any clutter and make sure we can get to things like furnaces and water heaters. On the outside, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of outside walls.

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.
  • Any documents, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
  • Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
  • Find copies of the current listing agreement, broker's data sheet and, in the event of a pending sale.
  • 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 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?   (Go to list of  questions)

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 certainly 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.

The exception to this rule is when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these cases, the appraiser may state 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.


How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?   (Go to list of  questions)

It really depends on the market. For example, putting in an inline humidifier could be nice in arid regions, but completely useless near the coast!

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. One recent study revealed that putting $20,000 into a kitchen remodel would add about $17,500 to the value of the home - or about an 88% return on investment. Bathrooms weren't far behind, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also help the value of your home as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.

Got a Question?

Do you have a question? We can help. Simply fill out the form below and we'll contact you with the answer, with no obligation to you. We guarantee your privacy.

Your Information
Your Question