Home Appraisal
Blog & Guides

An awkward bedroom–bathroom–bedroom layout affected the value of a home I appraised. Here’s how historical sales and matched pairs supported an adjustment—and why fixing a

An appraisal waiver can save time and fees, but does it answer your questions about value? A Virginia appraiser explains the risks and why condition

Prepare solar ownership, financing and system records for an appraisal. Joe Ellington explains payoff questions and finding solar comparable sales in Virginia Beach.

An in-law suite’s value depends on its layout, access, facilities, and market evidence. Joe Ellington explains his approach using a room-over-the-garage example.

Does a flood zone affect home value? Joe Ellington explains how he uses flood maps and same-zone comparable sales to look for market support.

Water view, frontage and shared dock rights are different appraisal features. Gather the documents that establish access, practical use and what would convey.

By Joseph T. Ellington Jr. — Licensed Residential Appraiser · Capital Valuations Your home’s insurance replacement-cost estimate and its appraised market value can differ because

By Joseph T. Ellington Jr. — Licensed Residential Appraiser · Capital Valuations A private appraisal may be useful when you convert a home from personal

By Joseph T. Ellington Jr. — Licensed Residential Appraiser · Capital Valuations When few comparable homes have sold, an appraiser evaluates the best available evidence

By Joseph T. Ellington Jr. — Licensed Residential Appraiser · Capital Valuations Contact the appraiser while you are planning the listing, early enough to receive

Already received a pre-listing appraisal below the price you had in mind? Use this report checklist, example message and worksheet to decide what to check

Learn who can arrange a probate home appraisal, how the client and payment are agreed, and which property and valuation details to prepare.

Understand how a Virginia tax assessment differs from a date-of-death appraisal and which valuation question to clarify for an estate.

A townhouse or detached house may have condominium ownership. Learn which unit records, parking rights and maintenance obligations belong in the appraisal file.

A condo assessment is more than its balance. Organize the payment terms, repair status and comparable sales to understand the private-appraisal question.

Use an appraisal before choosing an auction reserve. A hypothetical worksheet separates market value, reserve, transaction price and the seller’s net proceeds.

A house plus the lot next door needs a clear appraisal scope. Identify parcels, access and approvals before comparing package value with separate parcel values.

Buying a furnished home? Separate movable contents, installed features and third-party equipment, and see why a contract allocation is not proof of real-estate value.

Review price changes, showings, offers, condition, and competing homes. Joe Ellington explains what an independent appraisal can clarify when a listing stalls.

Compare a factual correction, appraisal review and second appraisal. Use the report’s date, purpose and evidence to choose the right next step.

Use a home appraisal as one input to downsizing: separate property value, possible sale proceeds and replacement-housing costs before making a retirement decision.

Who can receive a private appraisal? Distinguish the client, intended users and authorized recipients, and agree on confidentiality and delivery before ordering.

Arrange a Hampton Roads appraisal while living elsewhere: clarify authorization, local access, property records and report delivery with a practical handoff plan.

Before committing to a renovation, you may want to know what the home is worth now and what a clearly defined finished project might be

A tenant does not automatically prevent a private home appraisal. But occupancy is something to explain before ordering, because access, lease information, the property interest

An inherited house has been sold, and an attorney or tax professional now asks for its value on an earlier date. You may wonder whether

Compare an investor’s cash offer with supported market value, repair evidence, net proceeds, and timing. Joe Ellington explains what an appraisal can resolve.

Selling to a relative? Joe Ellington explains independent market value, a discounted family price, property facts, and when to check with the buyer’s lender.

Renovated your home and want to remove PMI? Ask your servicer first, then organize improvement dates, permits, invoices, and property records for valuation.

Will a buyer’s lender use your pre-listing appraisal? Compare the two reports, understand why values can differ, and prepare useful property records.

Considering a divorce home buyout? Understand value versus equity, the required appraisal date, report users, and how a private report differs from refinancing.

Buying out a sibling’s inherited house share? See how appraised value, mortgage debt, ownership, and the valuation date affect the buyout discussion.

Have an older appraisal? Learn how its purpose, intended users, effective date, and lender requirements affect whether it fits your next property decision.

A kitchen, bathroom, new roof, or addition does not have a fixed appraisal return. Joe Ellington explains buyer response, comparable sales, and useful records.

Read the addenda first, then the comparable sales. Joe Ellington explains the value conclusion, square footage, adjustments, and how to raise a useful question.

This dated 2022 Hampton Roads market archive offers historical context. Use current local sales for today’s decisions.

A desktop appraisal relies on approved data sources without an appraiser’s on-site inspection. Eligibility and scope matter.

Private home appraisals start at $400. Learn what affects home appraisal cost and how to compare affordable options in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads and the

An update to our November 2022 article on NCRC’s appraisal study, with the complete reported results, follow-up reporting, cited sources, and Joey Ellington’s perspective on

This archived 2022 article revisits the 2023 recession forecast question and explains why local sales matter more than a national prediction.

Learn how appraisers choose comparable sales by location, condition, size, timing, and sale terms, with practical Hampton Roads examples.

The ANSI Z765-2021 measurement shift helps explain why an appraisal square-footage figure may differ from an MLS listing or tax record. Here is what changed.