Bellevue appraisal questions

Private fees and delivery estimates depend on the property, the effective date and the scope the assignment actually requires, along with current availability. Those are discussed and confirmed on the phone at 425-620-2518 before any commitment.

It depends on the size and complexity of the home and on how accessible each area is. The areas to be observed depend on the scope and property. Confirm access to the interior, exterior and relevant structures before the visit. Discuss any access restriction before the visit so the appraiser can explain its effect on the assignment.

You do not need to stage the house for an appraisal. Personal furnishings are different from the real estate being valued. What helps is clear access to every room, to the electrical panel and heating equipment, to any crawlspace or attic hatch, and to locked sheds or detached structures.

Yes, and with dates. A list of what was replaced or remodeled and roughly when is useful, particularly for items that are not visible such as rewiring, plumbing repipes, drainage work or a new heat pump. Permits, receipts and before-and-after photographs all help.

It is a written opinion of value for a specific property, as of a specific date, prepared for a specific intended use and user. The number matters, but so does the reasoning: the report describes the property, identifies the data relied on, explains the adjustments and shows how the conclusion was reached.

Value is always tied to a moment in time. A current-date opinion and an opinion as of a date two years ago can differ substantially for the same house. Estate, date-of-death and divorce assignments frequently require a past date, and the entire analysis is built around whichever date is specified.

The intended users named in the engagement and stated in the report. A report prepared for one purpose and one reader should not simply be handed to a different party for a different purpose. If more than one person needs to rely on it, say so before the work begins so it can be set up correctly.

No. An appraisal observes and describes condition as it bears on value. A home inspection tests systems and components and reports on their function. If you need to know whether the furnace works, that is an inspector's job, not an appraiser's.

County assessment records are valuable for confirming parcel identity and recorded characteristics, and they are a good starting point for your own preparation. An assessed value, however, is produced for property tax administration on its own cycle and is not an appraisal of your property for your purpose and date.

It is worth raising. Discuss the discrepancy with the appraiser. The inspection and research can help clarify differences, which should be addressed as relevant to the assignment. Recorded data is checked, not simply accepted.

No. Official lookup tools help identify a parcel and review recorded characteristics and sales history. Boundary lines, easements and title questions are matters for a licensed surveyor or a title professional, and an appraisal does not resolve them.