Products & Services

In addition to the highest quality residential appraisals in the industry, First American Staff Appraisals also offers comprehensive professional specialty services. We deliver well documented, objective reporting that complies with all Federal guidelines, all delivered with our signature customer service.

Traditional Valuation Services (GSE, FHA, VA) for all Residential Property Types

 

  • Multi-family homes up to 4 units
  • Townhomes
  • Condominiums and co-ops
  • Residential lots
  • Unique, complex properties

Hybrid & Alternative Solutions

  • Full appraisal & desktop
  • Interior, exterior & drive-by inspections
  • Disaster verification reports
  • REO & pre-forclosure
  • Relocation appraisals
  • appraisal reviews
  • Litigation (including: tax abatement, divorce, probate, trusts, condemnation, eminent domain)

For information about our products and services please contact us at 800-723-4003.

FHA Appraisals

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires appraisals for all FHA-insured loans, except Streamline refinances. HUD requires a minimum standard to be met by all FHA-approved appraisers including additional education, training, state licensing or certification, and approval by the lender to conduct FHA appraisals. First American Staff Appraisals is the resource of choice for leading lenders throughout the country for quality FHA appraisals that accurately reflect market values.

What to Expect During an FHA Appraisal

FHA requirements emphasize health, safety and structural integrity issues. The purpose of a home repair is to correct deficiencies that may affect the health and safety of the occupants or the continued marketability of the property. If possible, home repairs should be made prior to the appraisal to improve marketability and ensure a smooth transaction.

Common FHA repairs:

  • Paint: Homes built prior to 1978, chipping, peeling paint must be scraped and painted on all interior and exterior surfaces (incl. garages, sheds, fences).
  • Roof: 2-3 years of useful life remaining. No more than 2 layers of shingles. Homes 10+ years old, snow must be removed from large portion of roof for inspection.
  • Basement: Cause of moisture should be cured (e.g., improve drainage away from house, gutters, etc.).
  • Wells: Abandoned/inoperable wells must be capped and sealed by licensed sealing contractor.
  • Pests: Infestation of any kind should be exterminated (e.g., insects, mice, bats, etc.).
  • Mechanicals: Damaged/inoperable plumbing, electric and heating systems should be repaired.
  • Structure: Structural or foundation problems must be repaired.
  • Tanks: Flammable tanks must be removed and filler cap sealed from inside (e.g., buried oil tank).
  • Attic/Crawl Space: Homeowner must make areas accessible for inspection.

This is a brief summary of potential FHA concerns. Each home must be independently viewed and assessed.

Real Estate Owned/Foreclosure Appraisals

We also lead the industry in Real Estate Owned (REO)/Foreclosure appraisals. Local, dedicated REO teams are made up of seasoned, certified staff appraisers, specially trained in the foreclosure process while providing customized appraisals that meet your individual needs.

REO appraisal services include:

  • Loss mitigation
  • Full exterior and interior inspection
  • Narrative photo description, including deferred maintenance or repairs
  • ‘As is’ value and ‘As repaired’
  • Estimated ‘Cost to Cure’ (list of repairs)
  • Analysis of marketability, listing sales and absorption rates

Relocation Appraisals

Relocation appraisals differ greatly from mortgage appraisals. At First American Staff Relocation appraisals differ greatly from mortgage appraisals. At First American, our local, specially trained relocation appraisers are intimately familiar with specific market conditions, demographics, and real estate trends.

Local Market Field & Desk Reviews

For an accurate review appraisal, nothing is more important than in-depth, local market experience and knowledge. With branch offices in metro areas from coast to coast, we provide market-specific expertise where and when you need it. No one is better equipped to provide thorough review report analysis than First American.

The National Review Division – Where Experience meets Convenience

Our National Review Division is comprised of a professionally-designated, veteran appraisal staff, and is dedicated exclusively to the review appraisal market.

From traditional desk reviews to alternative valuation products, our National Review Division specialists are experienced in developing a wide range of technical, administrative and other quality assurance products.  When standard desk reviews do not meet your needs, we will work with you to find or create a customized solution.

High Value & Complex Properties

Every community features a unique segment that commands top dollar due to its location, historical significance, quality of construction, size and other unique variables. Understanding the valuation process of these complex properties requires skilled appraisers with in-depth knowledge and local market experience. We have developed a reputation for evaluating market values quickly and accurately. Unmatched resources. Untouchable expertise. It’s why we are so often referred to lenders by other appraisal firms.

Litigation Expertise

Our senior management and staff appraisers have provided expert witness and litigation support services since 1940. Whether it is for the dissolution, condemnation, full and partial takings, trust, tax, abatement, or estate and probate, our designated experts understand the challenges and complexities of litigation procedures and reporting requirements. We stand by their evaluations with confidence.