"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."
While a finished basement adds value to your home, it is assigned a different value than space on the main floors. An appraiser will assess the square footage of a finished basement at about 50% to 60% of the value of the square footage for the rest of your home. Appraisal value for a finished basement depends on your location’s real estate market and the specifics of the basement and how it was finished.
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.
Ideally, you’d never pay more than the appraised value for a home, but there are some instances where it makes sense to do so. For example, if your current living arrangements are no longer viable and you need a place to move into quickly, paying more than the appraised value might be in your best interest to secure a new home. Additionally, if you’re buying in a hot market, overpaying for the home might be necessary to overcome the competition.
Yes, built-in bookshelves can be worth the investment and can add value to your home, especially when constructed from high-quality, timeless materials like luxury hardwood. They offer a practical and stylish storage solution that utilizes wall space effectively. While they cost more than store-bought units, the custom fit and potential to increase your property's resale value make them a desirable feature for many buyers, particularly for homeowners with large book collections. For the best return on investment, consider having them professionally built.
A koi pond may add value to your home if it’s a feature sellers are looking for. Like pools, ponds can affect your property value depending on their condition, whether they’re a popular selling point, and how well they’re incorporated into your home’s landscape.
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.