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) a 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) a mid-century rambler in Moab used heavily for nightly rentals; 3) a historic pioneer home in Manti, originally built by temple masons but with a 3,000 square foot modern addition; 4) a 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 within 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. If you need special accommodation, just ask! If you’re in Utah county, we can typically fit you in especially quickly.
I’m thinking of selling my house. Do I need an appraisal?
An appraisal report is highly detailed, and can give valuable insight that you cannot 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 entered into some kind of public database. This is totally untrue! 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 intend 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 assessors create their own valuation models for assessing tax rates independently from any outside influence. In other words, getting your property appraised will not raise your property taxes.
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 is probably obvious, 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 are an amazing tool. But even these powerful imaging options do not give a proper sense of what a place is really like. In other words, there is no way to properly experience what being in your neighborhood is like without actually being there.
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, while appraisal reports used for mortgage lending are (by design) totally uniform, 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.