How to Choose a Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers are an integral part of real property transactions. They are responsible for assessing a property and developing a detailed report that outlines the property's value during several transactions such as taxation, sell or purchase. As a result, appraisers must possess solid analytical and research skills and intimate knowledge of a property's surrounding area. Most states require licensing or certification and appraisers have access to rigorous training, such as the Appraisal Institute's program, which often exceed state requirements. Choosing a good real estate appraiser requires time and research, which ensures you make an educated selection.
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Instructions
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Contact a national association, such as the American Society of Appraisers, the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers or The National Society of Real Estate Appraisers (see "Resources") to request a referral. Many associations have a database that lists information about appraisers in your area, which means the appraiser is accredited by the organization.
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Contact your state's board of real estate appraisal. Most states require a license or certification to practice real estate appraisal. You can contact the board of appraisers for your state and request instructions for using the state-sponsored database to locate licensed professionals. Look for appraisers that have at least three to five years of experience, the appropriate education and certification or accreditation through a national association.
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Select appraisers to interview based on their specialty. Specialties include commercial or residential real estate with various sub-categories. For example, a residential appraiser may specialize in cottage-style, Victorian, bungalow or antebellum homes in a specific area, which enables him to note and value the unique characteristics of a property in comparison to other homes in the comparable area.
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Conduct an interview with each appraiser. Ask the appraiser if she holds any professional designations, such as MAI, SRA or SRPA. Request a copy of her license and any certifications or memberships. Equally important is the appraiser's experience with the neighborhood and whether she is an independent fee appraiser or employed by a real estate company. Consumer appraisers focus on the needs of the homeowner, which are distinctly different than those of a real estate company or brokerage.
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Choose the appraiser that has the best overall experience, education, time in your area and reporting and analytical skills.
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References
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