Capital Valuations • The Appraisal Journal
Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads Appraisal Blog
Local knowledge. Clear explanations. Better-informed property decisions.
Start with the right question
Every property decision starts with a purpose.
Selling, settling an estate, navigating a divorce, or reviewing a lender’s requirements? Understand which appraisal fits your decision before you order.
01 / The essentials
A good place to start.
Three practical reads to help you understand the process, prepare your home, and make sense of the report.
Before the visit
A practical checklist for access, pets, property questions, and what happens afterward.
Behind the value
See how appraisers find, verify, and interpret the evidence behind a value opinion.
After the report
Learn how to organize relevant evidence and request a lender’s review.
02 / Explore by purpose
What brings you here?
Choose a collection built around your property decision.
Selling & FSBO
Price with context, prepare your listing, and understand how appraisal evidence supports your decision.
Estate & probate
Start with the right valuation date, property records, and a clear scope for the assignment.
Divorce & separation
Explore independent valuation, property details, and locality-specific considerations.
Mortgages & PMI
Understand the lender’s role and check your servicer’s requirements before ordering a valuation.
Preparing for an appraisal
Get organized with the records, access arrangements, and property facts that matter.
Local homes & property details
Explore older homes, local market knowledge, and the difference between assessments and appraisals.
03 / The details behind the number
Square footage is only the beginning.
Good valuation starts with reliable property facts. Explore how measurements, classifications, and market-supported adjustments fit together.
ANSI measurement and the differences between appraisal, listing, and tax-record figures.
Understand why a supported adjustment is more than multiplying by a fixed price per foot.
A troubleshooting guide to dimensions, sketch geometry, additions, and record dates.
04 / The complete reading list
Explore all appraisal articles.
Browse posts by original publication date. Open an article for its current guidance, sources, and update information. Use “Load more articles” to keep exploring.
My Home Looks Like a Townhouse but Is a Condo: What Should the Appraiser Know?
A townhouse or detached house may have condominium ownership. Learn which unit records, parking rights and maintenance obligations belong in the appraisal file.
How Does a Condo Special Assessment Affect a Private Appraisal?
A condo assessment is more than its balance. Organize the payment terms, repair status and comparable sales to understand the private-appraisal question.
Should I Get a Home Appraisal Before Setting an Auction Reserve?
Use an appraisal before choosing an auction reserve. A hypothetical worksheet separates market value, reserve, transaction price and the seller’s net proceeds.
Appraising a House With an Adjoining Lot: One Property or Two?
A house plus the lot next door needs a clear appraisal scope. Identify parcels, access and approvals before comparing package value with separate parcel...
Buying a Furnished House: What Does the Real Estate Appraisal Include?
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.
Can an Appraisal Help When My Virginia Beach House Is Listed but Not Selling?
House listed but not selling? Learn which price changes, showing restrictions, offers and repairs help an appraiser evaluate your next selling decision.
05 / Browse the archives
Every year, one place.
Explore the full collections by original publication year. Historical market articles are labeled so older forecasts stay in context.
Foundations
2022
Comparable sales, appraisal types, measurement, and historical news.
Homeowner decisions
2023
Appraisal fees, preparation, report choices, and value factors.
The complete collection
2024
Selling, estate, divorce, measurement, mortgage, and local property guides.
Latest insights
2026
New guidance on renovations, property value, and homeowner decisions in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.
A quick reading guide
Not sure which article you need?
Start with the pre-listing guide, then review the document packet and FSBO guidance if you are selling without an agent.
Begin with the assignment’s purpose and effective date. The estate and divorce collections explain which records and property details to discuss before ordering.
Contact the lender or mortgage servicer first to confirm its process. These guides explain the questions to ask and the evidence to prepare.
Visit the appraisal glossary for definitions or the appraisal FAQ for common questions.
Capital Valuations • Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads
Your property. Your question.
A clear next step.
Speak with Joe about the property, appraisal purpose, and valuation date. We’ll help you determine the scope of the assignment.
Joseph T Ellington Jr
Licensed Residential Appraiser
Capital Valuations