Commercial appraisal questions
Prepare the scope and records for a commercial property in San Francisco.
What does Kevin need to define a San Francisco commercial appraisal?
Kevin O'Brien, MAI, SRA, California Certified General appraiser, license #3005065, needs the property or interest, effective date, intended use, and intended users. Leases and operating records help define an income-property assignment.
Can an assessed value stand in for market value?
A tax assessment describes a value for an assessment purpose and date. It is not a substitute for an appraisal of the specified interest. Send the assessment notice with the block/lot and tell Kevin why you need the valuation.
What determines the fee?
A mixed-use parcel, historical date, missing lease records, or limited access can change the work needed. Kevin reviews the assignment before providing a written scope, fee, and delivery estimate. Fees are confirmed in a quote after reviewing the property, intended use, scope, records, and deadline.
How is the delivery date set?
State your requested date and any recipient deadline at the first call. The estimate depends on the agreed research, available records, and access. A requested date does not reserve an inspection or commit Kevin to delivery.
Should I order an appraisal before speaking to my lender?
Confirm who may engage the appraiser and what property interest, effective date, and report instructions the lender needs. Do that before placing an order. A report commissioned for another purpose may not fit the loan request.
What should I send for an apartment building with retail below?
Send the rent roll and leases by use, available operating statements, shared-expense allocations, and a plan if available. Identify vacancies and owner-occupied space. Describe whether the request covers the whole parcel or a defined interest.
What happens during a commercial inspection?
The agreed scope determines the inspection. Coordinate access to relevant suites, units, common areas, and building systems. Describe restricted spaces in advance. The visit records property characteristics and condition within scope; it is not a building-code or engineering inspection.
Can the valuation use an earlier date?
Discuss the historical date and purpose with Kevin before engagement. Historical leases, operating records, condition evidence, and transaction information may be needed. The inspection date, report date, and effective date can differ.
Who receives and relies on the report?
The engagement identifies the client and intended users and the report identifies its intended use. Tell Kevin who needs the report before work starts. Receiving a copy does not by itself make someone an intended user.
Does an appraisal promise an appeal, tax, or court outcome?
No. It answers the agreed valuation question. An assessor, tax authority, court, or lender makes its own decision. Tell Kevin about the matter and recipient instructions so the scope can be considered before engagement.
Still Have Questions?
Describe the parcel, leases, valuation date, and intended recipient so Kevin can review the request.