Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Where are your appraisal service areas?
What appraisal services do you provide?
What qualifications do you have?
How long have you been in business?
How are you different than other appraisal companies?
Can you tell me at the inspection how much my house is worth?
Can I have a copy of the appraisal if I am the homeowner?
Why would an appraisal value differ from my property assessment?
Is a CMA or BPO the same as an appraisal?
Do I still need a Home Inspector, if I hire an appraiser?
Will clutter and mess affect your valuation of the home?
Your question - ask it below
Your question - ask it below
Your question - ask it below
Your question - ask it below
Your question - ask it below


What are your appraisal service areas?   Back to top

Property One provides appraisals in Southern New York, including Mid Hudson region. Counties served are: Orange County, Rockland County, Dutchess County, Ulster County, Putnam County, Westchester County, Queens County, Bronx County, Nassau County and Suffolk County, NY.

What appraisal services do you provide?   Back to top

Property One provides all residential appraisal types - REO, 203K, HECM, Litigation, and all other types of real estate appraisal.

What qualifications do you have?   Back to top

Richard Binkowski, president of Property One, was a real estate agent and has two decades of experience in the industry. A member of NAR (National Association of Realtors), the Chamber of Commerce, and the Appraisal Institute, Richard's firm Property One has been in operation nine years and brings a wealth of experience to the Southern New York area.

How long have you been in business?   Back to top

Property One has been in operation nine years. Richard Binkowski, president of Property One, was a real estate agent and has two decades of experience in the industry.

How are you different than other appraisal companies?   Back to top

• We offer expedited turn around times and can have a report back within 24 hours if necessary.  No additional fees.
• We keep the client up-dated every day with all status changes.
• We can set up same day inspections for any client once we receive your order.
• We will research your property prior to inspection and advise the client of any market data and other pertinent information necessary for their appraisal needs.

Can you tell me at the inspection how much my house is worth?   Back to top

One of the most common questions that I am asked at inspections, is how much is the house worth.  I explain that I am not allowed to discuss value with them.  Appraisers have a fiduciary responsibilty to the lender or client only.  At this point, I will explain that although they are important as the "Customer", legally my client is whoever ordered the appraisal and provided us the assignment.

Additionally, we as appraisers typically do not know the estimated value at that time anyway.  At that point, we are engaged in the inspection phase of the appraisal process and have probably not analyed any market data at that point.

Can I have a copy of the appraisal if I am the homeowner?   Back to top

A common question we are asked by homeowners is if they can have a copy of the appraisal. I will state to them that they should approach the lender/client soon after the appraisal is performed. I always tell them that the policy of  lenders may vary as to whether they will comply with their request for a copy.  I never promise or state the lender is obligated to do this but usually the lender will provide a copy of the appraisal if the homeowner makes a request in writng or verbally.

Why would an appraisal value differ from my property assessment?   Back to top

A common question from customers and the general public is whether property assessments are the same as an appraisal. I always point out that the assessment is not as thorough as an appraisal and that part of our business is often involved with fighting assessments that are too high. I will often explain that while the assessor is trying to be fair, he does not usually have the resources available to him to evaluate each property as thoroughly as an appraiser could.


Is a CMA or BPO the same as an appraisal?   Back to top

A question I am often asked is whether a CMA (certified market analysis) or BPO (brokers price opinion) is the same as an appraisal. I typically explain to the customer that while brokers are usually knowledgeable about the market, they are brokers not licensed appraisers and some may have their own agenda when performing a CMA or BPO.  I will sometimes recommend that they have an appraisal done to get an unbiased estimate of value.

Do I still need a Home Inspector, if I hire an appraiser?   Back to top

It's not uncommon for some clients to confuse appraisers with home inspectors.  I typically explain that while we note obvious visual structural problems, that we are not licensed home inspectors or engineers, and that we represent the lender. If they are purchasing and have questions about a property's structural integrity, I will recommend they hire a qualified individual to answer those questions.

Will clutter and mess affect your valuation of the home?   Back to top

Often people will say my house is a mess or too cluttered!  I will tell them that I am evaluating the real estate utility and structure of the property.  Unless the house needs to have clutter removed professionally, it usually doesn't become a factor in our evaluation of the property.

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