FAQ
WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?
MLS Appraising offers residential real estate appraisals in the greater Denver Metro area, including Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson Counties.
​
WHY DO I NEED AN APPRAISAL TO SELL MY HOUSE?
​
Homes that are priced right sell faster and for closer to the asking price. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and can end up selling for less than they are worth due to seller fatigue. Underpriced homes, while sometimes receive multiple competing offers, can leave money on the table. It is also helpful to know what your home is worth so that buyers do not run into problems securing financing if the appraised value is less than the agreed upon sale price.
​
CAN I USE A PRIVATELY ORDERED APPRAISAL LATER TO SELL OR REFINANCE?
Generally speaking, no. In rare cases you may be able transfer an appraisal to another party, however most lenders will require their own appraisal for a refinance or purchase.
​
HOW MUCH DOES AN APPRAISAL COST
Typical residential appraisals range from $450-$1,200, depending on the work required, the complexity of the assignment and the turn around time desired.
DO SOLAR PANELS ADD VALUE TO MY HOME?
It depends. If your photovoltaic (PV) system is leased or if you are making monthly payments on the system, then no the system adds no value to your home from an appraisal perspective. However, if your PV system is owned outright (fully paid off and no payments are being made), then yes* it definitely adds value to your home. Not all appraisers have experience appraising homes with solar panels, so be sure to look for a Green Certified Home Appraiser in order to have the correct value given to your PV system.
​
*While owned PV systems do add value in many areas of the country (like Colorado!), there are some areas where solar energy is not widely accepted and the market may not find value in having a PV system.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FOR THE APPRAISAL INSPECTION?
An appraisal inspection includes both the exterior and interior of your home. The appraiser will take measurements to verify your square footage and take photographs of each room to show the general condition of the property including any updates/upgrades you have made to the property or areas of deferred maintenance.
If you have secured financing from the FHA, then the appraiser will also need to test the water faucets and mechanicals as well as look in the attic and crawl space (if you have one).
​
Depending on the size of your property the appraisal inspection typically takes between 20-60 minutes.