Top Questions to Ask a Residential Real Estate Appraiser

What is your license class and number? A good answer gives both. You can verify them on the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers record, which shows the license level, status and dates.

Does your class cover my property? The state documents that a Certified Residential appraiser may appraise one-to-four unit residential property and non-residential property up to a $250,000 transaction value. A good answer ties the class to your property.

Have you handled requests like mine? A good answer describes the kind of request, such as a sale, an estate or a divorce, without naming clients.

What will you need from me? A good answer lists access, documents and the date.

What is the scope of work? A good answer states what will be done, including whether the appraiser will visit the property. Some mortgage programs allow appraisals without the appraiser's inspection, such as Fannie Mae's desktop appraisal, so ask what scope applies.

What date will the value apply to? A good answer repeats the date you need.

Who will rely on the report, and who will get a copy? A good answer separates the two. Intended users and recipients are agreed in the engagement and are not always the same.

How will the report be delivered? Randy M. Sonns delivers reports electronically.

What is the fee and what does it include? A good answer states a fee or says it depends on the property and asks the questions needed to quote it. Be cautious of a fee given with no questions.

Are follow-up questions included? A good answer says what is covered.

The license, status and dates are public on the state record. The scope and date are in the engagement. Everything else is a matter of how clearly the appraiser answers, which is itself information.

To go deeper, read how to choose a residential appraiser and what makes an appraiser certified.