I have known Howard Steiermann for over two decades, used him as an appraiser for San Francisco Residential Real Estate and he is on my list of RECOMMENDED PROFESSIONALS you will find under RESOURCES on this website. https://www.sanfranciscoloanoptions.com/recommended-professionals/

The question to Howard was: What are the top ideas, tips and unknown aspects of residential appraisal reports here in San Francisco, that every realtor, homeowner and homebuyer should know?

Here is what he said:

1) Condo & TIC living area is measured from the inside of exterior walls. As compared with SFRs & multi-unit properties which are measured from the outside, i.e., including the width of the exterior walls.

2) Homeowners need to let appraisers know what to expect. For example, while I love pets, some folks are allergic or afraid of them. Also, if it’s a shoe-free home, give a heads up so the appraiser can bring booties, or wear a favorite pair of socks!

3) There is no need to make your bed for the appraiser if you don’t do it normally but do make sure the appraiser can access every room, the garage, and backyard. You may want to clear a path to the water heater, furnace and electrical box, as pictures of those items are often required.

4) Lenders should know it is a necessity to supply preliminary time reports for condominium units. The Legal Description contained therein demarcates exactly what is included (i.e. deeded) with the unit, such as parking, patios, balconies or decks.

5) Agents should know lenders don’t focus on price per square foot, hence neither do appraisers

6) there’s no prohibition against providing comps to the appraiser, but as we all use the same MLS, absolutely no need for you to feel incumbent to do so. That said, if you’re thinking you’re more familiar with the micro market than most others, please share your knowledge

7) Many Appraisal Management Companies, aka AMC’s, bid out appraisal assignments. Hopefully they take appraisers’ experience into account, but that may not always be the case.

More questions came from his factoids, which I will review in another post.

Posted in blog, Recommended Professionals/Hacks to better success: