profile picture

Tredway & Company LLC has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

Tredway & Company LLC is always ready to answer any concerns you might have about appraisals in Beaumont and Jefferson County. Feel free to contact us today.

Describe an appraisal
What does an appraiser do?
What would cause me to need a real estate appraisal?
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?
After completing the report, how can I have assurance that the value indicated is legitimate?
How are appraisers certified?
Who hires an appraiser?
Where does Tredway & Company LLC get the data used to estimate values in Jefferson County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Do you need anything from me in advance?
What does "Market Value" mean?
Who has rights to the appraisal report?
Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?



Describe an appraisal   (Back to top)

An appraisal is a thought process allowing the appraiser to come to an opinion of value. The appraiser will use a number of "approaches," typically three, to come to the estimation of market value. One of them is the Cost Approach - which is how much it would cost to replace the improvements, minus physical deterioration and other factors, then 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 vicinity which have recently sold. The Sales Comparison Approach is normally the most accurate and clearest indicator of a liklely sales price for a residential property. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is the best method in appraising income producing properties - it involves estimating what an investor would pay based on the capital produced by the property.

What does an appraiser do?   (Back to top)

An appraiser offers a fair and credible opinion of market value, often in the context of a real estate exchange. Appraisers demonstrate their findings in appraisal reports.


What would cause me to need a real estate appraisal?   (Back to top)

There are a lot of reasons to order an appraisal from Tredway & Company LLC with the most common reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. A few other reasons for getting an appraisal report include:
  • If you are applying for a loan.
  • To lower your property taxes.
  • To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove insurance.
  • To fight improperly assessed property taxes.
  • If you need to settle an estate.
  • To give you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
  • To find a reasonable sales price when listing your home.
  • To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
  • Because an official agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • It's possible you could have to deal with being in a lawsuit - an appraisal will help.
For a more detailed description of the appraisal process click here.


How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?   (Back to top)

The appraiser is not a home inspector and does not do a complete home inspection. An inspection is a third-party investigation of the livable structure and systems of a property, from the roof to the foundation. The usual property inspector's report will contain an evaluation of the integrity of the property's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement, and visible structure.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a comparative market analysis (CMA)?   (Back to top)

Simply put, it's like comparing opera to country. The CMA uses market trends to conduct most of their business. The appraisal is based on similar definite comparable sales. Also, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, location and construction costs. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

The person creating the report is hands down the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. Real estate agents, who may not have a complete understanding of valuation methods or the entire market, generate CMA's. A certified, Texas licensed professional who made a career on valuing properties in and around Jefferson County is behind the appraisal. Likewise, the agent has something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to collect only a flat fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What does the appraisal report contain?   (Back to top)

Each appraisal should indicate a credible value opinion and will document the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
  • The intended use of the report.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the appraisal.
  • Relevant property attributes, including: location, physical description, legal attributes, economic attributes, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, trade fixtures and even intangible considerations.
  • All known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and other items of a similar nature.
  • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
  • The scope of work used when completing the job.
For a more in depth view of all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the report, how can I have assurance that the value indicated is legitimate?   (Back to top)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:
  • That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was suitable.

  • Whether individually or collectively, there were no crucial errors contained in the appraisal, nor any relevant details left out.

  • That appraisal services were delivered in a careful and judicious fashion.

  • That a believable, defensible appraisal report was conferred.
There are intense education and on the job experience requirements that must be met in order to get an appraisal license in Texas. Likewise, appraisers must obey a strict industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for developing an appraisal and documenting its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Back to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers are different from state to state. In general, licensing and certification typically translates to many hours of classroom study, tests and real world experience. Once licensed, he or she is required to complete continuing education courses so the license remains current. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who hires an appraiser?   (Back to top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's typical client, needing their services to ensure property involved in a mortgage transaction is adequate collateral for a loan. Attorneys and CPAs also retain the services of appraisers for asset division and estate settlements.

Where does Tredway & Company LLC get the data used to estimate values in Jefferson County or other areas?   (Back to top)

Collecting information is one of the main tasks an appraiser performs. Data can be categorized as either Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specifics are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is received from a many places. To look up recently sold homes to be used as "comps", an appraiser will typically use the local Multiple Listing Service. Tax records and other public documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Flood zone data is retrieved from FEMA data outlets, such as a la mode's InterFlood system.

And last but not least, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other properties in the same market.


Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?   (Back to top)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. For those selling a home, you'll want to determine a price that gets you the most profit but doesn't leave your home on the market too long; an appraisal can help with that. When buying, be sure you're not overpaying by getting an independent appraisal. For people settling an estate or divorce, an appraisal from Tredway & Company LLC is the best way to ensure assets are split up fairly. A home is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.


What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?   (Back to top)

PMI is an acronym for Private Mortgage Insurance. This supplementary plan protects the lender if a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the house is lower than what the borrower still owes on the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.

Did you have less than 20% to put down on your mortgage? Contact Tredway & Company LLC today at (409) 840-5133. You may be able to get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Do you need anything from me in advance?   (Back to top)

The first step in most appraisals is the property inspection. During this process, we will come to your home and measure it, determine the layout of the rooms inside, confirm all aspects of the home's general condition, and take several photos of your house for inclusion in the report. 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 make it difficult to measure the structure. On the inside, make sure we can get to appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
  • Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
  • Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and wells.
  • A list of any major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
  • A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.

What does "Market Value" mean?   (Back to top)

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."



Who has rights to the appraisal report?   (Back to top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is 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 state the purpose of the appraisal; 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.


Are some home improvements more worthwhile than others?   (Back to top)

It really depends on the market. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe investment. 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, returning 85%. On the contrary, an improvement that may not add value would be painting just for the sake of redecorating.