Step 1:  VALUE/COMP CHECKS

Do you do comp searches?

Also known as "Pre-Comps," "Value Checks," and "Pre-Appraisals"

It is against Federal USPAP laws and State of New Jersey Office of Real Estate Appraisers  (OREA) standards to provide an opinion of value without full completion of the appraisal process.  Condition, square footage, location, upgrades, repairs needed, view amenities, and any functional, physical or external obsolescence cannot be accurately determined without an inspection. 

What we can do:

• We can provide sales & listing data based on tax or MLS record characteristics of a property. 
• We can discuss available sales & listings near the subject property and share with you available sales & listings that appear to have similar physical characteristics.  None of this data shall be considered any kind of value opinion.  The actual appraised value could be higher, lower, or similar to any sales or listings provided.  

What we cannot do:

We cannot "shoot for" a certain value or "try to get max value."  

• We will not respond to requests such as "If you can get $xxx,xxx, you can have the appraisal order."
• Any desired values on order forms, such as "owners' estimates of value," will not be targeted in any way and if such values are stated on the order form the order will not be accepted.

If you are "value shopping" by sending multiple comp check requests to multiple appraisers, we are not your appraisal company.

For a free value check on line... Click Here 

Step 2:  SCHEDULING OF APPRAISAL:

We attempt to make contact with the borrower within 1 business day of receiving the order.

Providing us with accurate contact information (including cell phone numbers and/or multiple contacts) typically quickens this process.

Once scheduled, we will inform you via email when the property is to be inspected.

Our regular work days are Monday through Saturday.  In order to complete the inspection we must have a minimum of TWO hours of daylight.  We can schedule Sunday or holiday appointments for an additional charge.  Please contact us for more information.

Step 3:  ON-SITE PROPERTY INSPECTION TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Should there be any unforeseen issues that affect our ability to complete the appraisal once we begin our inspection we will contact the client immediatly. If we are instructed to cancel the appraisal for any reason on the day of the inspection appointment, there will be a minimum $175.00 cancellation fee.  

If we are not able to complete the inspection due to a lack of disclosure by the borrower, loan officer, or agent (example; the house is under major remodel, access person will not allow appraiser access to certain areas within the home, etc.) there will be a minimum $175.00 trip charge.

A "No Show" on the part of the contact person constitutes a minimum $175.00 trip charge fee - should the appraisal be rescheduled or not.  If the appraiser no shows for any reason (emergency reasons included) the appraisal fee will be lowered by $100.00. 

Once inspected, it is our goal to have the appraisal written up and to our in-house review department within 72 business hours.

Step 4:  DELIVERY OF APPRAISAL REPORT:

When you place your order, based on the level of service yoy will be given an estimated based on the complexity of the assignment. 

LENDER CONDITIONS:

On occasion we are asked by our clients or the lending institutions that they work with to make changes to an appraisal report.  Once a report is delivered to our client, we legally cannot delete any portion of the report unless we have documented an error.  We will gladly make minor typographical changes like correcting APN numbers to match title records (a common request).  All changes are documented in the report as an addendum including the change made and the party requesting the change.

We will not remove any verbiage, change language or delete photos from a completed and submitted report just because they impact the report or the condition of the appraised property in a negative way, No Exceptions.

In order for us to consider any lender conditionsand requests, they must be made to us in writing and must state clearly exactly what the request is.  No lender conditions will be considered unless they are made in writing,                No Exceptions.

Any lender condition that requires additional forms to be added to the original submitted  report or requires additional field work, if accepted, is considered as additional work beyond the scope of the original appraisal and will be billed as such.  A list of fees for the various forms is located in our "Fee" section and all field work will be billed at a rate of $75.00 per hour, No Exceptions.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Appraisal orders cancelled by the client (ordering party) prior to inspection, but not cancelled on the same day of scheduled inspection, will not incur a cancellation fee.  Appraisal orders cancelled by the client (ordering party) on the same day of inspection, or after appraiser has physically inspected the subject property, will incur a cancellation fee equal to half of the original fee (minimum $150.00), No Exceptions. 

Cancellation fees are payable immediately by ordering party (client), or client will be sent to our collections company for payment.  Per State Law, the ordering party is responsible for cancellation fee; not the borrower or other 3rd party - unless borrower and ordering party are one-in-the same.

PAYMENT TERMS:

Unless other payment arrangements have been  approved by our staff, all orders are PREPAID. We accept cash, money orders, and credit card payments. If mailing company check, appraisal assignment will not be initiated until payment has been received. We do not accept personal checks without prior approval.

A 3% credit card fee is added to all credit card (Visa & Mastercard) transactions.

     *By ordering an appraisal through the web site, you agree to the above cancellation and payment terms*