THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT CASHING IN. THE HOME IS MOST PEOPLE SINGLE BIGGEST INVESTMENT. SO WHEN IT’S TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT IT’S WORTH, THE NUMBER HAS TO BE RIGHT. BUT HOMEOWNERS GENERALLY DON’T GET A SAY IN WHO A BANK HIRES TO APPRAISE THEIR HOUSE BEFORE A SALE OR REFINANCE. STILL, THERE ARE PROTECTIONS. SO THE LENDERS, BANKS TYPICALLY CHOOSE THE APPRAISER. IT’S A VETTING PROCESS. SO WE NOT ONLY HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE, WE HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE, AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE WORK SAMPLES. BY LAW, HOMEOWNERS ARE ENTITLED TO A COPY OF THE APPRAISERS REPORT, WHICH THEY SHOULD THOROUGHLY REVIEW. GO THROUGH THE REPORT, SPECIFICALLY PAGE ONE, WHICH DESCRIBES THE PROPERTY AND MAKES SURE THAT INFORMATION IS CORRECT. AMONG THE ITEMS TO CHECK SQUARE FOOTAGE, PROPERTY CONDITION ACCOUNTS OF ANY UPDATES AND OWNER HAS MADE SINCE PURCHASE, ESPECIALLY KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS. APPRAISERS …
