90%+ of all properties fall under this pricing structure.
Appraisal Services and Typical Fees
Appraisal Types:
- $299 - Basic Desktop Appraisal
- $449 - Desktop Appraisal
- $575 - Drive-By Appraisal
- $625 - Standard Appraisal
- $725 - Standard 2-4 Unit Appraisal
- $550 - Desktop 2-4 Unit Appraisal
Appraisal Add-Ons:
- $35 - Living Area Measure/Certification (per 1,500 Sf)
- +30% - Rush Fee (when available)
- $100 - Two Client Fee (e.g. both spouses in a divorce)
How are Appraisal Fees Determined?
Appraisal fees are determined based on three primary factors:
- Complexity: Properties with unique characteristics, special features, or complex legal situations require more extensive analysis and research.
- Time: The amount of field work, research, and report preparation required to complete the appraisal.
- Liability: The intended use of the appraisal and the potential exposure or liability associated with the valuation conclusion.
What is the Difference Between a Desktop Appraisal and a Standard Appraisal?
What is the Same?
- Degree of Analysis: Both desktop and standard appraisals apply the three approaches to value (sales comparison approach, cost approach, and income approach where applicable).
- Degree of Reporting: Both provide comprehensive written appraisal reports with detailed analysis, market research, and valuation conclusions.
- Credibility: Both are prepared by the same certified appraisers and meet the same professional standards and USPAP requirements.
What is Different?
- Appraiser Inspections: Desktop appraisals rely on public records, MLS data, and online research without an in-person property inspection. Standard appraisals include a thorough physical inspection of the subject property and comparable properties.
- Client Influence: Desktop appraisals cannot be influenced by the client's proximity or expectations about the appraisal. Standard appraisals may reflect on-site conditions and observations that could influence valuation.
What Situations are Desktop Appraisals Appropriate?
- Estate valuations
- Divorce proceedings
- Bail-Bonds
- Bankruptcy filings
- Immigration purposes
- Litigation support
- Second opinions on valuations
When are Standard Appraisals Recommended?
- Family property transfers
- Unusual or specialized properties
- Divorce property divisions
- Bankruptcy asset valuations
- Litigation support requiring detailed inspection
- Immigration property valuations
- Bail-bond hearings requiring thorough documentation
What is Included with each Appraisal Report?
- Desktop Appraisal Report Includes:
- Comprehensive market analysis of comparable sales
- Property description based on public records and MLS data
- Analysis of current market conditions in the subject's neighborhood
- Valuation using the Sales Comparison Approach
- Cost Approach analysis (where applicable)
- Income Approach analysis (for investment properties)
- Final value opinion with clear reasoning
- Certification and statement of limiting conditions
- Standard Appraisal Report Includes:
- Detailed physical inspection report and photographs
- Comprehensive property description including structural elements, systems, and condition
- Comparable sales analysis with detailed property adjustments
- Neighborhood market analysis with demographic data
- Sales Comparison Approach with detailed adjustments
- Cost Approach with replacement cost analysis
- Income Approach analysis (for investment properties)
- Reconciliation of approaches and final valuation conclusion
- Photographs of subject property and comparable properties
- Professional certification and statement of limiting conditions