What are your professional qualifications?
Many states require all real estate appraisers to be state licensed or state certified and have fulfilled rigorous education and experience requirements. Appraisers must adhere to strict industry standards and a professional code of ethics. At Andrews Appraisal, you can be assured that we will offer you professional analysis and an appraisal that meets all state requirements.

How long does an appraisal take?
The inspection of your property can take from approximately 30 - 60 minutes, depending upon the size and complexity involved.

After the initial inspection of the property the appraiser must complete an analysis for comparable sales (other properties recently sold that are similar to the property being appraised). Because of our extensive knowledge of Maine properties in Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec and York counties, we can give you a very accurate analysis of area property. Finally, we will prepare a complete report. Depending on the complexity of the report you request, the time required to prepare this report varies.

What does the appraiser look for?
Typically, an appraiser needs to document the condition of the property, both inside and out, from the layout and features to the degree of modernization including any updates as well as the overall quality of construction. This information will help to assist the appraiser throughout the valuation and comparison process.

The appraiser estimates the square footage (GLA - gross living area), by measuring the exterior of the home. Non-living areas, such as garages or covered porches, aren't included in GLA, but are accounted for and considered in value separately. Finished basements are also calculated separately from the above-ground GLA.

The appraiser will generally consider only permanent fixtures and real property. Because many above-ground swimming pools and small sheds are not permanent structures, they typically usually aren't included in the valuation. Depending on the specific installation process and local custom, however, an above ground pool or small shed might be considered part of the real property.

The appraiser gets his or her information about the area in question from a wide variety of sources, including the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), local tax assessor's records, county records, private and public record data vendors, interviews with sellers and buyers, appraisal data co-operatives and our own personal knowledge or office files from previous appraisals. The quality and reliability of each piece of information is considered by the appraiser.

Who will see my appraisal? If my appraisal comes out higher than my tax value, could my real estate taxes go up?
The appraiser is required to maintain confidentiality with the client, which would typically be you (if you undertook the appraisal) or the bank (in a mortgage related appraisal), not the local tax authorities.

Do you accept Visa and Mastercard?
Yes