By Joseph T Ellington Jr – Licensed Residential Appraiser, Capital Valuations. Updated September 2026.
How to choose a local appraiser for a private home appraisal
A website can help you find an appraiser, but the useful questions are about license, local competence, assignment purpose, and who may use the report. If a lender is financing your purchase or refinance, it normally orders its own valuation. This guide is for homeowners seeking a separate private appraisal for pre-listing, divorce, estate, or another defined purpose. Our purchase and refinance guide covers the lender process.
Five questions for the first call
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is your Virginia credential? | Match the license and experience to the property and scope |
| Do you know this property type and market? | Waterfront, condos, rural sites and older homes can require different research |
| Who is the intended user and what is the intended use? | A report for one purpose cannot automatically be used for another |
| Which value date is required? | Estate and divorce assignments may require a retrospective date |
| What are the fee, delivery target and access needs? | Scope and timing vary by assignment |
Joe Ellington is a Virginia Licensed Residential Appraiser serving Hampton Roads. The Appraisal Institute’s consumer guidance explains that appraisals are used beyond mortgage financing, including estate planning and dispute-related decisions. Your attorney or lender should specify any additional report requirements for its use.
Look for substance on the website
Does the appraiser explain its service area, qualifications, intended uses, and contact process? Does it distinguish independent appraisal from a real estate agent’s comparative market analysis and from a city tax assessment? A flashy claim to “maximize your value” or a guaranteed turnaround should not substitute for scope and evidence. See our CMA comparison and appraisal versus tax assessment guide.
What to send for an accurate quote
- Property address and property type.
- Reason for the appraisal and the person or entity that will rely on it.
- Effective date, including a past date if needed.
- Known unusual features, additions or access concerns.
- Deadline and any written instructions from an attorney or other intended user.
An appraiser should explain the assignment’s limits. A residential appraisal offers an independent opinion under its scope; it does not determine a court outcome, tax obligation, or guaranteed sale price.
Explore local services
Capital Valuations offers pre-listing appraisals, estate appraisals, and divorce appraisals throughout its stated service area. Read the About page and contact Joe with the purpose and property details. We can discuss a suitable scope before you commit.
