BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Ask about your home,
and your reason for calling.
Relevant experience.
“Have you handled a home like mine in Allentown, for this purpose?” Ask who would do the work and about their qualifications. Company history helps you understand a business; the person handling your assignment matters too.
The right report.
Tell the appraiser who will use the report and which date the value needs to reflect. If an attorney or lender gave you instructions, share them before ordering and confirm the recipient’s requirements.
A clear quote.
Ask what the fee includes and when the report can be delivered. Give your deadline at the start, so you can decide whether the proposed work fits.
START WITH YOUR SITUATION
Which service should you ask about?
- Estate appraisals →Settling an estate? Share any valuation-date instructions from your adviser.
- Probate appraisals →Bring the property details and appraisal requirements from your attorney.
- Divorce appraisals →Explain who needs the report and the date it should address.
- Residential appraisals →Planning a sale or another decision about your home? Explain how you will use the value.
Published by The Appraising Group Allentown. This is a selection checklist, not an independent ranking of appraisal companies.
YOUR FIRST CALL
You can start with one sentence.
You don’t need to know the report’s name. Have the address, purpose and any deadline ready; ask about the appraiser, fee and delivery date before deciding.