Why don’t you publish your fees?
We’re not shy about what we charge, but your property is unique! Consider the following example property types that we have appraised: 1) The multi-acre “gentleman’s farm” estate in the heart of Silicon Slopes, complete with a 5,000+ square foot designer home, indoor sports court, and a multi-stable horse barn ; 2) The mid-century rambler in Moab near Sand Flats recreation area used heavily for nightly rentals; 3) The historic pioneer home in Manti, originally built by temple masons in the 1800s, but had 3,000 modern square feet added on; 4) The craftsman bungalow near Liberty Park in Salt Lake City that has been turned into a fashion-forward duplex.
Each would naturally have a different fee associated with an appraisal, so you can see why we need some information from you before we can give you a quote!
How soon can you get my appraisal done?
Typically, we can have a completed appraisal report delivered from the first conversation with you to about 3-5 business days, depending on distance, complexity, etc. Also, the real estate world is seasonal — as such, we are naturally busier in the spring and summer than in the fall and winter. However, if you need special accommodation or something done in a rush, just ask! We can typically figure something out. If you’re in Utah county, we can almost always fit you in especially quickly.
I’m thinking of selling my house. Do I need an appraisal?
You already know that Neighbor Bob has an opinion on how much your home would sell for. But are you sure that Neighbor Bob knows what he’s talking about? An appraisal report is highly detailed, and can give valuable insight that you will not get from any other source. Think of it as an extremely solid foundation for an extremely large decision. If you’re serious about selling, it is always a good idea to have an unbiased third party give you an idea regarding the kind of value you might be able to fetch. While real estate agents can be an important part of the selling process, an appraisal can help you move forward with a higher degree of confidence.
Will getting an appraisal raise my property taxes?
Many people worry that all appraisal reports are automatically entered into some kind of public database. That is totally false! A private appraisal report from Davis Appraising is, and always will be, private. By law, appraisal reports are only made available to the intended user — that’s you! If you prefer to share your appraisal report with other parties, such as a judge, family member, or potential buyer, that is up to you, and only you. Rest assured that county governments (i.e. assessors’ offices) create their own valuation models for assessing tax rates independently from any outside influence. In other words, an independent property appraisal will not raise your property taxes. In fact, it could even lower your property tax rate, if you choose to show the county what your property is worth.
What exactly do I get when I order an appraisal?
It depends on what you need and want! There are three basic levels of information gathering that a real estate appraiser could use: 1) Public records search only; 2) Exterior inspection only; 3) Full interior and exterior inspection. As you might be thinking, option 3 is going to yield the most accurate results. Why? Let’s break it down in each case.
Most counties make at least some real estate data available online. But there are often gaps and inconsistencies, especially in rural areas, mostly because county resources are limited, and the offices of recorders and assessors don’t always have the money or manpower to get all the data input into a public database.
High definition aerial and street-level images (like those provided by Google maps) are an amazing tool. But even these powerful imaging options do not give a proper sense of what being in a place is really like. In other words, there is no way to properly experience what your home or your neighborhood is like without an in-person visit.
Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, being somewhere in person is worth a thousand (or more) pictures. There is just no substitute for being at a property in person, which makes this by far the most accurate approach. Since it takes more time and effort, it will naturally cost more. But if you’re looking for the highest quality appraisal, then this is the way to go.
The bottom line is, a private appraisal report is highly customizable to your needs! We will work with you to help you decide what level of detail will be required to get you the right appraisal report.