Process of home appraisals by Midtown Appraisal Group

Home appraisals step by step

No one loves them, but they're not that bad Whether you're a homeowner looking to refinance your mortgage, a home buyer with your heart set on the dream home you finally found, or a home seller hoping that the conditional offer you got will finally firm up: Sooner or later there'll be a need for a home appraisal, and you'll spend at least a little time worried about the process. But you shouldn't worry so much. Appraisers aren't going to…...
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myths about appraisals
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The big appraisal myths, debunked

This infographic (below) from The Appraisal Institute has been around for a couple of years now, but I came across it again recently and I think it's still worth a look, especially if you're new to the appraisal process. (NOTE: The infographic refers to federal legislation in the US, and some of those laws may not be applicable in Canada, or in the Canadian province in which you live. If you're in any doubt about what information applies to you,…...
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Kevin Slemko AACI on how to conduct estate appraisals
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Estate Appraisals: What you need to know

When an estate involves real estate, proper valuation can be crucial It's a common situation: An elderly parent dies, leaving behind a spouse, adult children and young grandchildren. The family home is owned outright, or has a small mortgage, and everyone assumes that the home will be sold and the proceeds divided. Simple, right? After all, there's a straightforward Will and no one's arguing. Except that when there is a surviving spouse, and/or step-children, and the Will turns out to…...
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Appraisal value affected by maximalist design
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Design, style and ‘clutter’: Do they affect appraised value?

The answer is...it depends. As an appraiser, I'm often asked some version of this question: "My house is a mess and I just found out they want to send the appraiser tomorrow. Do you think it'll make a huge difference to the appraised value?" And more recently, in the era of minimalism, I also get asked whether a more 'maximalist' approach to interior design will negatively impact value. The standard, professional answer is, of course: "No, it won't affect value.…...
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Kevin Slemko AACI on the problem of overimprovement

“But that bathroom cost me $27,000!”

When valuations don't reflect the money the homeowner spent I hadn't been an AACI for very long when it happened: I was doing an inspection of a pretty standard, older 3-bedroom bungalow outside of Hamilton, and the homeowner insisted I see the master bathroom first. "You have to see this!" he said, leading me toward the back of the house. When I got to the bathroom door, I guess my face didn't register the amazement he expected, because he started…...
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Kevin Slemko of Hamilton's Midtown Appraisal Group on how properties are valued
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Appraisal explanations: Lists are not enough

How appraisers look at the components of a property, Part 1 If you've recently bought or sold a home that involved a mortgage or loan, chances are an appraiser has been involved at some point to confirm the property's value. And if you asked your agent or mortgage broker what an appraiser looks at, they probably gave you a list of factors: Location, size, condition, comparable sales, etc. That's correct, as far as it goes. But a list like that…...
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Overview of the home appraisal process

Appraisals 101: A handy graphic

You don't have to be an expert, but you should know the basics. I know what it's like: Whether you're buying or selling your home, especially in the current overheated market, the last thing you have time (or interest) for is a deep dive into real estate appraisals. At the same time, as a vendor or purchaser of property, especially if it's your first one or it involves the fairly large sums of money typical of real estate in southern…...
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Midtown appraisal group on types of Ontario home

Types of house in Ontario: The basics

Do you know the differences? At first glance, 'house types' seems obvious: We all know the difference between a 1-storey house and a 2-storey house, right? But different terminology is used for different types of homes based not just on how many storeys they contain, but also on the way the floors are arranged. Here's an overview of the most common types of homes you'll see in Ontario. (There are other types, but most of them are just slight adaptations…...
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Kevin Slemko Midtown Appraisals on new homes

You’re buying a new home. What do you need to know?

If you're like many Canadians, you've grown up thinking that one day, you'd be buying your own home. It seems like a pretty normal thing to do - until you're actually doing it for the first time, yourself. When you find yourself actually signing paperwork committing you to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a couple of decades - well, it can suddenly seem like a very big deal. But the more you know, the less stressful it can be.…...
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unusual homes appraisals
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What happens when there are no comparable sales?

Say what you will about sprawling new subdivisions, they're a residential appraiser's dream. There's nothing easier than putting a value on a house when there have been 4 sales of the exact same model on the street in the past 6 months. But what happens when you're faced with, say, a beautiful 90-year-old home that's been renovated multiple times over the years, has a larger backyard than the newer properties which have sprung up around it - but also a…...
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