Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are you a Certified Appraiser or a Real Estate Broker?
A. In fact, I am both a Real Estate Appraiser and a Real Estate Broker. I earned my Broker's Certificate in 1980 and my Appraisal Designation from the Canadian and Ontario Real Estate Associations in 1994.
Q. Does your accreditation require ongoing education?
A. Yes. I must complete relevant courses every 2 years. In addition, I must remain active as a Broker. Direct knowledge of the transactional side of Real Estate is necessary for the renewal of my designation.
Q. Do You appraise condos?
A. Yes, I appraise residential freehold properties as well as condos.
Q. Do you appraise for banks?
A. My appraisals are intended for homeowners or potential homeowners. A Bank generally prefers to choose a list of its own appraisers who act on behalf of the Bank.
Bank appraisers typically work with a referenced sale price or a value indication from the bank. My appraisals are based on the Direct Sales Comparison Approach to fair market value and not a sale price.
I do not take assignments from banks.
Q. What are your fees?
A. A typical single family home or condominium "single effective date" appraisal is $375.00 + HST. Payment is requested at the time of inspection. Addional fees apply if there is more than 1 effective date required or in the event of a multi-unit residence.
Q. Is there an appraisal fee if you act as our real estate broker in the sale.
A. The appraisal fee is in that case refunded on closing or deducted from the brokerage costs.
Q. How long does an appraisal take to complete?
A. When an order is placed we set up an appointment to inspect the property. Daytime inspections are preferred. The inspection requires about 30-45 minutes. I then request 3-5 business days to research, draft, check, and complete the report. Copies then can be sent immediatly by pdf/e-mail and mailed via express post.
Q. Can you appraise a property as of an earlier date?
A. Yes. My database goes back 40+ years.
If you require an appraisal for 2 dates there is a $100.00 charge for the second effective date.
Q. Are your appraisals recognized in matters of family law, estates, and capital gains?
A. Yes. My designation is acknowledged by all levels of Canadian Government, (municipal, provincial and national), including CRA and the courts.
Q. Do you appraise commercial properties or businesses?
A. No. My work is confined to residential real estate, including single family homes, duplexes, and vacant land.
Q. I am in a rush and require an appraisal within 24 hours? Can you work this quickly?
A. Unfortunatly not. To do a careful job I will require 3-5 busines days to produce my appraisal report.
Q. Can we hire you to critique another appraiser's report?
A. No. You can compare my report with anyone else's but it would be considered unethical to directly criticize a colleague's work.
Q. Is your work confidential?
A. Completely. No detail of the report will be released to anyone else without the client's express permission.
