The 15 Best Real Estate Appraisers In Tampa

When you are buying or selling a house, there is a lot that you have to learn. There are a lot of technical legal steps involved in the process, particularly when you need to get financing for your house. One of these steps is getting a real estate appraisal.

Appraisals happen in almost every real estate transaction, as they are typically a contingency in sales contracts, and banks require them as a condition for approving a mortgage. An appraisal involves an inspection of a piece of property and researching market conditions to determine fair market value. Our list of 15 of the best Tampa property appraisers can help you choose a professional when buying or selling a house.

At Eaton Realty, we represent both buyers and sellers in West Central Florida real estate transactions. We work collaboratively with our clients to help them get the information and support that they need for a successful sale or purchase - such as by giving them recommendations on professionals to use. Reach out today to talk to a member of our real estate team.

Why Do I Need a Real Estate Appraiser?

A real estate appraisal is a common step in the home buying and selling process. It involves a real estate professional - a certified appraiser - determining the fair market value of a property.

To determine the fair market value, an appraiser will examine factors such as:

• The overall condition of the home, such as the number of bedrooms, the functionality of major systems, and the presence or absence of any hazards.
• Any improvements to the home, such as installing a pool or renovating your kitchen
• How your home compares to other houses in your area (real estate comps)

The inspection portion of the appraisal might take as little as an hour. The appraiser will then spend time researching things like property tax records, FEMA flood zones, and sales comps to develop a fair market value for the property.

Once the appraiser completes their visual inspection of your home and their research, they will make a final valuation of the property in a report. They will then deliver the report to the entity or person who ordered and paid for it (such as the bank, the prospective homebuyer, a real estate agent, or an attorney).

One of the most common reasons to get a property appraisal is when getting a mortgage. Banks won’t lend money to a prospective homebuyer if a property is appraised for less than the amount of the loan. However, there are other times when obtaining a property appraisal may be a good idea, such as:

• Before selling your house, homeowners considering listing their property for sale can have an appraisal done to better understand its market value. This can help them set an asking price that is realistic for the house's condition and the market, increasing the likelihood of a quick sale.
• Refinancing your house: homeowners may choose to refinance their home due to changes in the value of the home and/or interest rates. Refinancing involves replacing an existing mortgage with a new one, so banks will require an appraisal to ensure that they are making a good investment.
• Obtaining a home equity loan: this type of loan is essentially a second loan taken against the equity in your home. An appraisal is necessary to determine how much equity you have in your house based on its current value and the amount outstanding on your mortgage.
• Divorce: in a divorce, a couple’s assets and liabilities are divided, necessitating a valuation of any property. An appraisal can be used as evidence in divorce settlements or a divorce trial.
• FEMA appraisals: if your home is located in an area where flood insurance is required, then FEMA limits the amount that the property can be improved (known as the 50% rule). A property appraisal can challenge the limitations on construction set by the county.
• Seeking other types of loans: if you use your house as collateral for a different type of loan, the bank will likely require an appraisal.
• Estate matters: various issues related to estates that may require a property appraisal, such as determining the value of a home at the time of a person's death for tax purposes.
• Appealing a tax assessment: property taxes are typically based on the fair market value of your home. If you believe your property taxes should be lower, you may have an independent appraisal of your house performed for evidence in your appeal.
• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) removal: if you did not make a 20% down payment on your house, your bank likely required you to purchase PMI to protect their interests. Once your home equity hits 20%, you can have the PMI removed. An appraisal can help to show that you have paid 20% of the value of your home.

For most people, having your home appraised isn’t a matter of choice. If you want a mortgage, your lender will perform one before issuing a loan. However, as outlined above, there are many situations where you may choose to have an appraisal performed for your own purposes.

Many real estate sales contacts will also include an appraisal as a contingency. This allows you to walk away from a purchase if the appraisal comes back with a value that is too low for the purchase price. If you are in a seller’s market or are paying cash for a home, you may choose to skip this contingency - but it is almost always a good idea to have an appraisal done so that you know you are not paying too much for a property.

A real estate appraisal may cost from $500 to $2,000, with appraisals of larger properties or with more complex issues (such as determining property lines) costing more. The buyer of a home in a real estate transaction is usually required to pay for the appraisal unless they negotiate for the seller to pay for the appraisal.

A real estate appraisal is distinct from a home inspection. An appraisal concerns the value of a piece of property, not the structural integrity and condition of the home’s system. An inspection involves examining every aspect of the physical home to determine its condition and identify potential issues.

Top 15 Tampa Real Estate Appraisers

Whatever your reason for needing or wanting a home appraiser, you will want to make sure that you get the best possible person for the job. As a Tampa real estate agency with decades of experience helping clients buy and sell homes, we have worked with dozens of real estate appraisers. Below are our recommendations for some of the best property appraisers in the Tampa region.

Champions Real Estate Appraisals

Based in Tampa, Champions Real Estate Appraisals serves Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas County. Led by Juan Long, this team has provided appraisal services for both buyers and sellers since 2010.

TYKE Appraisals, Inc.

TYKE Appraisals, Inc. works out of Tampa, providing appraisals throughout the West Coast of Florida. They offer both residential and commercial appraisal services, plus consulting on real estate matters.

Accurate Appraisal and Realty Services

Accurate Appraisals and Realty Services offers a range of appraisal services in the greater Tampa area, including realtor listings, for sale by owner listings, divorce settlement and estate valuation matters, and mortgage lending. They also offer appraisals for the FEMA/ACV 50% construction rule in flood zones.

CandidAppraisals

Working out of their Naples, Fort Myers, and Tampa offices, CandidAppraisals has performed over 20,000 residential valuations. They have 6 appraisers working to provide valuations for investors, homeowners, attorneys, and other interested parties.

Sunshine Real Estate Appraisals

From St. Petersburg, Sunshine Real Estate Appraisals offers a variety of appraisal services for Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties. Owners Shari and Brent Kludt have more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and are both certified appraisers.

Nolen Appraisal Services

Nolen Appraisal Services, Inc. is a full-service property appraisal company based in Tampa. They offer appraisals in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties, where they have worked for more than 20 years.

Integrity Real Estate Advisors

Integrity Real Estate Advisors offers both commercial and residential real estate appraisals, litigation support, and consulting services in the Tampa region. Led by Brad Saucier, their team offers expert analysis and valuation services.

MJS Appraisals

MJS Appraisals is led by Michael Scarpa and specializes in providing valuations for single-family homes, condos, and investment properties. They also provide appraisal reviews and consultations throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.

AccuQuick Appraisals

AccuQuick Appraisals has appraised more than 10,000 residential properties over 17 years in the Tampa Bay region. Led by Jeffrey Donaldson, they offer appraisals for home sales, divorce, bankruptcy, IRS liens, estate planning, and other common situations.

Appraisal Development International, Inc.

Appraisal Development International, Inc. has operated out of the Tampa Bay area since 1979. They perform appraisals of commercial properties throughout Florida and appraise residential properties in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Manatee Counties.

Meridian Property Appraisers, Inc.

Meridian Property Appraisers, Inc. is a family and veteran-owned property appraisal company founded in 2002. They specialize in private appraisals for realtors, homeowners, attorneys, and accountants.

Dohring Ahern

Dohring Ahern was founded in Tampa in 1992 as an appraisal company and later expanded to add brokerage services. They offer full-service property appraisals for bank financing, due diligence, divorce cases, estate disputes, and more.

Cliggitt Valuation, Inc.

Cliggitt Valuation, Inc. is a Tampa-based appraisal company that specializes in commercial, industrial, and investment real estate. Run by Michael Cliggitt, the firm also performs appraisals for other types of property, including single-family homes, apartments, and condos.

Capital View Appraisals

Capital View Appraisals serves customers throughout Pasco and Hillsborough Counties in West Central Florida. They offer a full range of appraisal services, including appraisals specifically for obtaining private mortgage insurance (PMI).

My Florida Home Appraisal

With offices in Clearwater and Cape Coral, My Florida Home Appraisal is one of the leading providers of real estate valuations for both mortgage lending and non-lending property sales. They have more than 22 years of experience in the market, providing well-written valuations that are thorough and accurate.

When it comes to property appraisers, home inspectors, and every other professional, you should always use your best judgment regarding who you hire. Your house is one of the biggest investments that you will ever make. Be sure to research and choose a property appraiser you trust.

Buy or Sell a House in Tampa with Eaton Realty

Many steps are involved in buying or selling a house in the greater Tampa Bay area. In addition to finding the right home, you must ensure that you - or your buyer - can get financing for the property. A property appraisal is a key document that can be used as proof in a variety of situations - including obtaining a mortgage.

At Eaton Realty, our Tampa real estate agents understand how stressful the process of buying or selling a home can be. We work with our clients to support them with everything from recommendations for the best professionals to suggestions on how to stage a house. If you’re interested in buying a home in Hillsborough County, fill out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a member of our team.