Appraisals
Professional Appraisal Service in Edmonton & Calgary Areas
One Step Appraisals is a locally owned appraisal company that offers professional appraisal services in Edmonton and Calgary area. Our team of professional residential and commercial appraisers is committed to providing the highest quality reports and service to meet your appraisal needs. Our role is to provide a well-reasoned opinion of value that will provide peace of mind during a real estate transaction. We understand that our clients are seeking our experience, integrity, and professionalism when requesting appraisal advice.
Since its inception, our firm has earned a reputation for providing clients with professional and practical advice in the following areas:
If you are selling or refinancing your home, it will benefit you to see that the appraisal process goes smoothly. You can do several things before the appraiser’s arrival that will ensure a proper and accurate appraisal.
Access
In most cases, lenders want the appraisal to reflect the “as is” status of the property. This means that the appraiser needs to have access to all areas of the home. Otherwise, the appraiser will need to make the appraisal “qualified” regarding certain assumptions about areas the appraiser cannot access, and the lender may refuse to make the loan. To facilitate access, you can:
- Make sure that the appraiser can enter all rooms. For example, if some family members work nights and sleep days, arrangements will need to be made for the appraiser to view all rooms.
- Ensure that the appraiser has clean and dry access to crawlspaces and attics. Access doors must be opened so the appraiser can at least conduct a “head and shoulders” viewing.
- The appraiser must view garages, storage areas, closets, basements, etc., all.
- The appraiser will be taking interior and exterior photographs.
Legal and Title Issues
No one wants to delay a transaction over legal or title issues. Things like easements or encroachments are often unapparent to the appraiser but show up later when the lender has the legal work prepared. Depending on the nature of the legal or title issue, the lender may need to contact the appraiser to consider the impact the issue may have on the appraisal. The appraiser may even need to revisit the property, adding expense and delay to the process. If you have information on any of the following, please have it available to the appraiser.
- Land Title Certificate
- Information on Easements or Encroachments
- Copies of Permits for Additions or Recent Work on the House
- Real Property Report (Survey)
- Information on the Previous Sales History of the Home
- Recent Tax Bill
Other Issues
Generally speaking, the more information available to the appraiser, the faster the process will go. If you have any of the following information, please have it available for the appraiser.
- Copies of Home Inspections
- Copies of Current or Previous Sales Agreements
- Copies of Any Current or Previous Listing Agreements
- List of Any Personal Property being Sold with the Home
- Plans and Specifications for Original Structure and Additions, if Applicable
- Any Other Information You Feel May be Useful to the Appraiser