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What You Should Know About Real Estate Appraisals

Before a lender will loan funds for the purchase of a property, the lender requires professional valuation of the property by a licensed appraiser. The appraisal is necessary to support the value of the property for the dollar amount of the buyers’ down payment plus the loan amount which equals the agreed upon purchase price.

I will meet the appraiser at the property for the approximately one hour appointment. I will have researched and present to the appraiser documentation of three sold homes and one or two pending homes. Experience shows that this helps alleviate low appraisals.

The appraiser will take measurements and notes regarding the property condition and the amenities plus photos of each of the rooms. The exterior of the property will also be evaluated and photographed. Then the appraiser will travel to and take photos of the exterior and consider the amenities of comparable sold properties within a half-mile to one mile of the home. And they will also consider one or two pending sale properties.

All of this information is gathered into a concise report and sent to the lender for further evaluation by the loan underwriter. The underwriter will then review all the information prior to determining full loan approval for the buyer.

The cost is a buyer expense between $450 and $600 and is paid in advanced by the buyer.

And experience shows that a typical appraisal evaluation report is completed within one to two weeks from the time that is ordered.

Charlotte Volsch

What’s the right way to handle an inherited property—renovate, list, or sell it as-is? I am Charlotte Volsch, an Estate Property Advisor and Probate & Trust Real Estate Specialist helping attorneys, executors, and families make clear, confident decisions when selling inherited homes. I help attorneys, executors, and families navigate inherited property decisions throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert of Southern California, including Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Loma Linda, Fontana, and surrounding communities. Over the course of my career, I have completed 774+ real estate transactions across 24 years, including more than 230 probate and trust property sales. For the past 16+ years, I have focused specifically on estate property situations, working alongside probate and trust attorneys, fiduciaries, and their clients to guide each case from evaluation through sale. Many families are unsure what to do with an inherited home—whether to invest in repairs, list it traditionally, or sell it as-is. Without a clear strategy, estates can make costly mistakes such as over-improving a property, underpricing it, selecting the wrong sale method, or facing delays that impact timelines and estate objectives. I help evaluate those decisions early, so attorneys and their clients can move forward with clarity, avoid unnecessary risk, and choose the most appropriate path based on the property and the situation. I work directly with attorneys and their clients to determine the best path forward, whether that involves preparing a property for the retail market or facilitating a direct sale through a network of qualified investors. For properties that require repairs, may not qualify for traditional financing, or are best suited for as-is sale, I provide access to a network of more than 50 active real estate investors. Over the past 12 months, I have closed 68 transactions, reflecting consistent production and experience navigating changing market conditions. I guide each case using the C.A.L.M. Method: C — Clarify We identify what matters now versus what can wait. A — Align We define priorities—legal, financial, and personal. L — Lead I guide each step in the proper order to avoid delays and unnecessary complications. M — Move Forward Clients proceed with clarity and confidence. I am the Broker Owner of The Volsch Team at Volsch Enterprises, Inc., and hold certifications in Probate Real Estate through the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as well as Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor (Probate Biz). If you are an attorney handling probate or trust matters—or assisting a client with an inherited property—I’m available as a resource to help evaluate the best path forward.