Harlin Young & Co. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Harlin Young & Co. is prepared to talk to you about any inquiries you might have about appraisals or real estate in Honolulu County. Feel free to contact us today.

Define the term "Appraisal"
What does an appraiser do?
Why would a person require services from Harlin Young & Co.?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?
What does the appraisal report contain?
Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is legitimate?
How are appraisers certified?
Who engages the services of appraisers?
Where does Harlin Young & Co. get the data used to estimate values in Honolulu County or other areas?
How can a licensed appraiser help me?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
How do I get ready for the appraiser?
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements?

Define the term "Appraisal" (List of questions)

An appraisal report is an inspection that concludes with an opinion of value. The appraiser will use a several "approaches," typically three, to draw up the estimation of market value. One of the methods in use is the Cost Approach, which evaluates what it would cost to replace the improvements to the home, less the age and physical deterioration, adding the land value. Another of the processes is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns discovering a comparison to other similar properties within a close proximity which have recently sold. The Sales Comparison Approach is normally the most accurate and best indicator of a liklely sales price for a house. One of the least common approaches in appraising houses is the Income Approach, which is generally used to determine the market value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the building.

What does an appraiser do? (List of questions)

An appraiser provides a professional, unbiased opinion of market value, to be used in making real estate transactions. Appraisers reveal the details of their conclusions in appraisal reports.

Why would a person require services from Harlin Young & Co.? (List of questions)

There are a lot of reasons to order an appraisal from Harlin Young & Co. with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Other reasons for obtaining an appraisal report include:

If you are applying for a loan.
To reduce your property taxes.
To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
To fight inflated property taxes.
If you need to take care of an estate.
To give you an edge when purchasing a home.
To determine the most probable property value when listing your home.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Government agencies such as the IRS need an appraisal on every house.
It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will help.

For a more extensive description of the appraisal process click here.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (List of questions)

Appraisers do not do provide residential property inspections and are not home inspectors. The purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the structure of the home from basement to top. For the most part, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the requirements of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical systems, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural capacity of the home such as the attic, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)? (List of questions)

Frankly, they have nothing in common. What the CMA depends on are vague trends. Appraisals use similar sales which are valid resources. Location and construction values are also a priority in an appraisal. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the most significant factor is the person creating the report. Real estate agents, who may not have a true grasp of valuation methods or the entire market, write CMA's. A certified, Hawaii licensed professional who bases a career on valuing real estate in and around Honolulu County creates the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a previously agreed upon fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What does the appraisal report contain? (List of questions)

The main objective of an appraisal report is to let the reader know the value of the real estate in question, and depending on the scope of the report, one will customarily see the following:

The client and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
The purpose of the appraisal.
The type of value contained and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the value opinion.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical attributes, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights in question, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible items.
Any known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
The scope of work used to complete the assignment.

For a more in depth view of the work that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Upon completion of the appraisal, what guarantee is there that the value conclusion is legitimate? (List of questions)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must make sure of the following:

That the information analysis implemented in the appraisal was appropriate.

Whether individually or collectively, there were no substantial errors contained in the appraisal, nor any material details left out.

That appraisal services were provided in a careful and cognizant manner.

That a believable, substantiated appraisal report was communicated.

To become a state licensed appraiser, we must meet extensive education and experience requirements that train us to produce an unbiased opinion. Likewise, appraisers must stick to a stringent industry code of ethics and comply with national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for developing an appraisal and reporting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(List of questions) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of coursework, tests and practical experience. Once licensed, he or she must then take continuing education courses so the license remains up to date. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who engages the services of appraisers? (List of questions)

Commonly, appraisers are called upon by mortgage lenders to render a value opinion on a home involved in a loan transaction - to make sure the house is truly adequate collateral for the loan. Attorneys and CPAs also hire appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Harlin Young & Co. get the data used to estimate values in Honolulu County or other areas? (List of questions)

One of the most important activities of an appraiser is to collect data. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are documented by the appraiser while on site.

General data is gathered from a number of places. To research recent sales to be used as "comps", an appraiser will typically go to the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other courthouse documents verify actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is gathered from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And most importantly, the appraiser assimilates general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

How can a licensed appraiser help me? (List of questions)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. If you're selling your house, an appraisal will help you determine the most appropriate price. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Without knowing its real value, wise financial decisions are impossible.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it? (List of questions)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. This added plan protects the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the value of the home is lower than the balance of the loan. Once you reach the point where your home's equity plus the amount you've paid is at least 20% of your loan balance, you can have your PMI dropped.


	Does your monthly loan payment have a lineitem for PMI?Call Harlin Young & Co. today at 8085318025 or send us an e-mail. Documentation of your home's current value could save you thousands.

How do I get ready for the appraiser? (List of questions)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. What this entails is the appraiser, after setting up an appointment, personally going through the home - recording the layout of the rooms, taking photos and documenting the general condition of its amenities. The best thing you can do to help is make sure the appraiser has easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any shrubs and relocate any items that would get in our way while we measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can easily access appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

To help speed things along as well as ensure a more accurate report, attempt if possible to have the following items:

A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
List of personal property to be sold with the home.
Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells.
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of Energy efficiency upgrades or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
A list of "proposed" improvements when the property is being appraised "as complete".

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"? (List of questions)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair Market Value) is commonly defined as:

"The most probable price (in terms of money) which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: the buyer and seller are typically motivated; both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests; a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale."

Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer? (List of questions)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. Even though it's the buyer that eventually pays for the report, the lender is the intended user. The buyer is certainly entitled to a copy of the report - it's usually bundled with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these situations, the appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stipulated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

How can I get the most ROI out of home improvements? (List of questions)

This really depends on where the home is. For example, if you're in a neigborhood of small to medium priced homes, a media room may not be something people in that price range want

As a rule, the best ROI from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms are right up there with kitchens, yielding 85%. On the contrary, work that may not increase your value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.