What is the difference between a real estate appraisal completed for a divorce and a typical loan appraisal?

Here are a few differences:

• The divorce appraisal is very likely to have a retrospective date of value, meaning that the appraised value is based upon a date in the past (the filing date) rather than today’s date.
• Sometimes  both the retrospective value and current market value (as of today) are needed for divorce.
• The appraiser in a divorce situation may be called upon to be an “expert witness” if the case goes to court, so it is crucial to include additional research and data within the appraisal report to ensure that value and adjustments are clearly explained and supported.
• The divorce appraisal is not completed according to Fannie Mae guidelines as typical loan appraisals are.
• The divorce appraisal ought to be completed on a general non-Fannie Mae form since the purpose is other than a loan.
• The divorce appraisal is the same as a loan appraisal in terms of confidentiality. No information regarding the appraisal or appraised value is ever shared by me with any other party than the client who ordered the appraisal.
• The appraiser is bound by USPAP in both types of appraisals. These are the uniform standards that guide the appraisal profession.

Whether you are an attorney or home owner, if you have questions regarding litigation or divorce appraisals in the Sacramento Region, please contact me at 916-595-3735 or www.lundquistcompany.com. Offering my appraisal services for litigation is one of the arenas I am available for. In addition to a solid appraisal report, you can expect professionalism, confidentiality, punctuality, courtesy, and reasonable rates.

You can see our divorce appraisal website also at www.SacramentoDivorceAppraisals.com.