Why use a property appraiser?
While everyone is entitled to an opinion, the licensed professional appraiser’s opinion is the only one that follows Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The licensed appraiser follows a series of steps considered acceptable to validate an opinion, while taking into account more than 30 different areas of comparison that contribute to a property’s value. The professional appraiser validates his educated opinion with market data, and the analysis leads to a justifiable result that is more than just a guess.
A note on BIAS: The licensed appraiser provides opinion without bias. While those knowledgeable of a market often have an opinion, it is rarely without bias. Owners or sellers have a distinct opinion on what their property “should be worth,” while buyers look at negotiating the lowest price they can to “get a good deal.” Realtors often seek the highest possible transaction price because they get paid based on a percentage of the selling price.
The licensed appraiser plays a critical role in the property transaction by providing the ONLY opinion guaranteed to be without bias.
Find the right appraiser
Once you decide you need the services of a licensed appraiser, there are many factors to consider in choosing the right one.
Is the real estate unique?
Not all real estate is the same. Some licensed appraisers can only appraise homes under certain conditions because they don’t have the higher level of training required when things aren’t so easy. Make sure that the appraiser you call has the license necessary to appraise the property in question. If the valuation has the potential to be difficult or contested, you’ll want to use someone with a higher level of licensure called a “Certified General” license. These appraisers have the extra training necessary to appraise any real estate, not just the easy ones.
OnPoint Appraisals is certified to appraise all real property (also known as real estate, or land with or without buildings.) See the Appraisal Services section for details on the types of real estate we provide. You will find ALL types & sizes. No limits. No kidding!
Where is the property located?
While it is possible to appraise anywhere in the state, we find we are most effective in the markets where we live & work on a daily basis. Our primary work revolves around the Winona, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin regional centers. Click here to view the map.
How long does it take?
The OnPoint Appraisals always takes care of our clients, and we’ll respond when you need us. We always answer the phone (when out of the office, our lines are forwarded.) We have provided same-day service when the need was urgent and the information was readily available. While this may not be possible in many cases, you tell us what is reasonable and we will do our best to make that happen. With a customer focus unlike ANY other appraisal firm, we want to match our customers needs with a service level that exceeds expectations, even if that means working evenings and weekends.
When you’re not in a hurry to finish an appraisal, we can offer you the best pricing by scheduling your appointment with other work in the same area, or group your project with similar tasks for greater efficiency. Higher efficiency means lower cost for you. Typical delivery is based on the complexity & scope of the assignment and can vary daily depending on workload. Residential appraisals are typically delivered in 5 business days.
How much does it cost?
Cost is based on the time required to gather & summarize information for a credible opinion. OnPoint Appraisals has developed an efficient system for gathering data to accommodate all types of Real Property, not just houses. Our efficient operations, coupled with use of all the latest technology, saves time on every job and translates to lower costs for you.
Although we don’t publish our prices online, we encourage you to contact us to get an estimate and more information about how we can help you. When clients compare the quality of what we offer for the price, they are likely to be satisfied that they received what they paid for.
- Multiple property discounts apply if they can be done at the same time
- We’ll always give a discount if we’ve appraised the property before. With more than 15 years in the business, we’ve saved clients $1000’s of dollars for repeat service or updated value
How do I know this valuation can be trusted?
OnPoint Appraisals has a Certified General license in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, which means we are accountable to the state licensing boards for the quality of our appraisals. This is the highest level of certification available for appraisers in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
We go one step further and follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Confidentiality: What if I don’t want someone else to see the value?
If you need a confidential appraisal, look for a certificate confirming that the information will not be shared. Every appraisal from OnPoint Appraisals comes with a signed certificate stating …(see certificate)
Results from the OnPoint Appraisals are NEVER shared with anyone but the client, no matter who asks!
