Real Estate Appraisal Services Frequently Asked Questions

Integrous Appraisals, LLC is a Real Estate Appraisal company that provides professional residential real estate appraisal services to clients.

An appraisal is the act or process of developing an opinion of value of an asset. In the case of Residential Real Estate assets, an appraisal is often performed for mortgage lending purposes. However, it can also be used for estate settlement, tax assessment, marriage dissolution, or any other life event that requires the valuation of real estate assets.

Integrous Appraisals, LLC provides appraisals for residential real estate, marriage dissolution (a.k.a., divorce appraisals), estate settlement, ad valorem (a.k.a., tax assessment), Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) removal, investment appraisals, and more.

As part of the appraisal process, it is sometimes required to observe or inspect the property (not to be confused with a Home Inspection). During this appraisal observation process we observe and take pictures of every room in the property, we observe and take pictures of the exterior of the property, the accessible land, all outbuildings, observe and note topography of the land, and many other characteristics of the property. This is done with the objective to gather the necessary data to support a credible opinion of value.

Although the county may offer a great deal of the data appraisers need, as appraisers, it is our job to develop an independent and unbiased opinion of value. The county assessor is interested in the value of the property for tax purposes. Independent appraisers look at market value based on a specific time frame as dictated by the client (i.e., for a pending purchase and sale agreement, or the date when the property owner passed away, after the property is renovate, etc.). To develop this independent report, appraisers cannot base its conclusion of value only based on 3rd-party data.

The typical appointment takes between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the property and other improvements on the property. Measurements are taken of the exterior or interior walls (depending on property type or client's needs). Photographs are taken of each room, every mechanical system, the various interior and exterior views, and when available, the property owner is interviewed regarding property improvements, updates, features, neighborhood information, and other related questions. 

The turnaround time for an appraisal report varies depending on the complexity of the property and other factors. However, Integrous Appraisals, LLC strives to provide timely and efficient service to clients. For residential real estate appraisals, we aim for a 1–3 day turn-around after the inspection has been scheduled (based on availability).

If you are not the client – the person or entity who directly requested the appraisal report – the answer is NO. The appraiser is bound by the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice (USPAP). As such, the appraiser is required to follow the Ethics Rule, which precludes the appraiser from disclose confidential information or assignment results with anyone except the client or any previously identified intended user(s).

We are more than happy to clarify, in general terms, any misunderstanding concerning the appraisal process. However, we are not at liberty to discuss any details regarding the appraisal analysis, including contributory factors to the opinion of value ordered by the client.

The person or entity that ordered the appraisal is the client. The appraisal report is owned by the client and any intended user that was identified at the time the assignment was requested. It does not matter who actually paid for the appraisal fee or who owns the property that was assessed. As appraisers, we cannot violate these rules of ethics in our profession.  

If you seek more information about the appraisal, contact the client that ordered the appraisal. When the appraisal report was ordered for a mortgage, this is typically the bank (lender).