Where does an Appraiser get the information used to estimate value?
Gathering data is one of the primary roles of an Appraiser with data divided into two categories, Specific and General. Specific Data is gathered from the home itself, i.e. location, condition, amenities, size, etc., and General Data is gathered from a number of sources such as Multiple Listing Services (MLS) for data on recently sold homes that might be used as comparables, tax records (MPAC), and other public documents which are used to verify actual sales prices in a market. But, most importantly, the Appraiser gathers General Data from his or her past experience in conducting Appraisals for other properties in the same market.