Home Appraisal Values

Home appraisal values have seen a decline from the2)Line item adjustments over 10%
values of a couple years ago. Many lenders have3)Net/Gross adjustments over 15/25%
moved to national appraisal companies in efforts to· Excessive adjustments show that you truly do not
bring consistency to home appraisal values. Below, wehave a comparable property
are providing helpful tips in reference to residential4)Across the board adjustments on the comps
appraisals and things you should keep in mind.· if all the comps have an adjustment such as for a
Appraisal Tips:pool, this is not acceptable.
It's important to remember if the property is overbuilt· you must have a comp(s) that supports the
for the area: unique in size, bedroom count or otheradjustments for an item (i.e. pool, no garage,
unique factors, its not allowable to simply adjust toaccessory unit/quarters, workshops, etc...)
make it work. Similar comps are the key to allowable5)Appraised value must be bracketed by the comps
adjustments. In addition to comps being similar in· if you have 3 comps with adjusted values that are
aesthetics they must be in reasonable proximityfar apart - this is not acceptable.
depending on the area.· the value cannot be based on listing comps. Listing
Suburban and Urban properties should have compscomps are to support the value.
within a mile or less of the subject property. Comps· the value cannot be above the adjusted values of
that come from the other side of a major highway orthe comps
in another town are hard to validate.All Appraisals must contain the following:
Net/Gross adjustments for comps should not exceed*1004MC or appraisal type DU/LP(automated
15%. In some cases larger adjustments may workunderwriting engines) allows reduced appraisal types.
depending on appraiser's notes and reasoning. LineHowever, they are not allowed on: Cashout, New
adjustments should not exceed 10% of the sales price.Construction, Loans requiring mortgage insurance.
Again, appraisers may exceed the 10% slightly with1)The addendum page must show the Remaining
appropriate explanation.Economic Life.
APPRAISAL KEY POINTS2)The Appraiser's signature must be present.
Page 1 of the Appraisal3)Sketch Page must be present.
Declining Market4)Location Map is key for the underwriter to determine
· Over Supplyneighborhood.
· Marketing time over 6 months5)Photos (front, back, street view, interior photos, comp
· this is typically not acceptable.photos)
*Appraised value of the predominant value for the6)Flood map
market areaHome loan values are contingent on neighborhood
· the appraiser must comment on the affect it wouldfactors as well as the appraiser's ability to find
have on the subject.comparables within a reasonable distance that have
*Interior and Exterior materials must be in at leastsold within a reasonable time frame. The days of
average condition - if they are in fair condition the itemunderwriters simply allowing for higher home loan
contributing to the "fair" condition must be repaired andvalues on a particular property due to the property
brought to average condition.being in a Home loan values can be the source of
Page 2 of the Appraisalmuch frustration for a potential homebuyer. However,
1) Distance of Compsproper appraisal technique can make the process
· Urban - should be ½ mile or lesssimple. For more information regarding home loan
· Suburban - 1 mile or less (may be a little furthervalues, appraisal key points, or residential financing go
depending on the area)to the caltexfundingresource site and search Brandi
· Rural - less than 10 milesHorton resource.