"Martin's Appraisals conducted a professional and thorough appraisal in an expedient manner. I would highly recommend this business as a good value for your money."
"did a very thorough job. wasn't in any rush and explained the reason for everything she did.I felt very much at ease with this person,and would not hesitate to use this service again"
"Quick yet thorough home appraisal report! Jeff is a super nice guy & easy to work with. Can t beat the service he provides for a very reasonable price. Let him be your first and only stop!"
"Bob called almost as soon as we put our request into Home Advisors. We explained that we needed our rental home appraised but due to COVID-19, we needed an appraisal without entering the property. Bob said he could use pictures of the inside to complete the appraisal. Within 3 days we had a very thorough appraisal."
"I wasn’t rushing into my home purchase and David was patient during the two years it took to land my home. I wasn’t sure what I wanted at the outset and David encouraged me to see a variety of property types and conditions. That helped hone in on what I wanted and we submitted a couple of offers along the way. The whole experience informed me of what was important to me and emphasized the need to act fast. So when a home I really liked went on the market just as I was headed out of town, David and I developed a strategy to make sure I didn’t lose out. Six months later and I still smile and think how much I love my new home every time I open the front door. (And I have great neighbors, too.) On top of his real estate expertise and familiarity with the area, David also leverages the technology to complete a contract quickly online. He took the time to answer every question and really walked me through the home-buying process."
"David was professional and extremely knowledgeable. We had a very complex appraisal and he was able to do the necessary work to create a thorough assessment. High recommend David, and he didn t break the bank!"
"My husband and I expressed an interest in a particular neighborhood that is often in high demand to Mary Schaner, knowing that it may be quite some time before a house became available. Mary kept us in mind and each time there was a listing, she called us to let us take a look. Her patience was? appreciated and finally, after a lot of thought, we decided to purchase a house Mary found for us. She went above and beyond, working with us so that we could get what we felt was a fair purchase price, even convincing the seller to allow our contingency. It was a competitive situation, but Mary worked with us diligently. After a long couple of months waiting for our house to sell, we finally settled on the house and neighborhood we had been dreaming about. I'm convinced that none of this would have happened if Mary hadn't taken the time to keep in touch with us, staying on top of the market in our neighborhood of choice. I highly recommend Mary Schaner - a more friendly, conscientious and driven agent can't be found."
Estate shutters are considered a high-end window treatment that increases home value. As previously mentioned, this project comes with an ROI of up to 75%. Shutters can also improve your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you choose PVC or faux wood shutters, which will lead to long-term savings on your energy bills.
In most cases, installing a tennis court on your property will drive up your property taxes. Property taxes are determined, in part, based on improvements made to your property, which includes anything with a permanent foundation. Since most home tennis courts include a large concrete foundation, your property taxes will likely increase following the installation. A general rule of thumb is that if your project requires permits—like for a foundation or fencing for a tennis court—then your property taxes will be affected.
You can be present during a home appraisal, but it’s best to stay out of the appraiser’s way. Make yourself available, but don’t engage or interrupt, and don’t discuss value or your target sales price. If possible, have your agent present in the house instead of being present yourself.
Foundation cracks won’t always affect your appraised value. All foundations crack due to normal settlement, so hairline cracks that aren’t leaking or uneven from side to side are unlikely to have an impact on your appraisal. Structural cracks, on the other hand, often lead to a reduced appraised value, especially if the underlying problem will cause the issue to worsen over time.
Wainscoting isn’t a design element that can be directly tied to an increased house price. Despite that, it is a highly marketable element that can generate significant interest from potential buyers who enjoy the style, and is relatively inexpensive to remove for those who don’t. If you are on the fence about paneling, just know that it certainly wouldn’t result in depreciation of your home’s value—usually the opposite.
The Timonium, MD homeowners’ guide to property appraisals
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Home appraisals are an important part of buying or selling a home and getting a mortgage loan. Learn more about home appraisal costs and what they include.
FHA loans are backed by the government and come with specific FHA appraisal guidelines and requirements. Learn what an FHA appraisal entails in this guide.