Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about Infinity Appraisal's residential appraisal services, property inspections, appraisal reports, and request process.
If your question is not answered below, use the contact form to send Infinity Appraisal a message.
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Browse by topic below. Each answer explains what to expect without burying the important details.
Browse Questions by Topic
Choose the area that best matches what you need to know.
01
Appraisal Services
Property types, intended uses, PMI, and retrospective valuations
02
Requesting an Appraisal
What to submit, scope of work, and completion timing
03
Inspection and Report
Access, inspection types, preparation, value, and delivery
04
Standards and Service Area
Coverage, confidentiality, USPAP, and professional obligations
Appraisal Services
Residential valuation services for important financial, legal, and personal property decisions.
What Is a Residential Real Estate Appraisal?
A residential real estate appraisal is an independent, impartial, and objective analysis of a property's value. The appraiser researches relevant market information, analyzes the property and comparable sales, and communicates the resulting opinion of value in a written appraisal report.
Who May Need a Residential Appraisal?
Appraisals may be requested for mortgage lending, pre-purchase or pre-listing decisions, estate planning, probate, trusts, retrospective valuation, divorce, bankruptcy, PMI removal, rental properties, and other residential valuation needs.
What Types of Properties Does Infinity Appraisal Appraise?
Property types include:
- Single-family homes
- Townhomes
- Condominiums
- Two-to-four-unit residential properties
- Vacant residential land
Submit the property address and assignment details so Infinity Appraisal can confirm whether the property falls within its appraisal scope.
Does Infinity Appraisal Appraise Commercial Property?
No. Infinity Appraisal specializes in residential real estate and does not provide commercial real estate or personal property appraisals.
Can I Request an Appraisal Before Buying or Selling a Home?
Yes. Buyers may request an appraisal to better understand a property's market value before making a long-term financial decision.
Sellers and homeowners may request a pre-listing appraisal to help establish a market-supported asking price or better understand the property's value before listing it for sale.
What Is a Retrospective Appraisal?
A retrospective appraisal develops an opinion of a property's value as of a date in the past rather than its current value.
These appraisals may be needed for estate, probate, trust, tax, divorce, or other matters requiring a historically supported property value. The applicable valuation date and intended use should be provided when submitting the request.
Can an Appraisal Be Used to Remove Private Mortgage Insurance?
An appraisal may be required when a homeowner asks a lender to remove private mortgage insurance, commonly called PMI.
Because lender requirements vary, homeowners should contact their lender before ordering an appraisal. The lender may require the appraisal to be completed through a lender-designated process.
Requesting an Appraisal
How Do I Request an Appraisal?
Complete the Request an Appraisal form with:
- Your contact information
- The property address
- The reason for the appraisal
- Any relevant assignment details
- The requested completion date, if applicable
Infinity Appraisal will review the information, confirm availability, determine the appropriate scope of work, and convey the engagement details to the client.
What Is the Scope of Work?
The scope of work identifies the research, inspection, analysis, and reporting necessary to produce credible assignment results for the appraisal's intended use.
Because appraisal needs differ, Infinity Appraisal can customize a scope of work that fits the client's needs while complying with USPAP and applicable state laws.
How Long Does an Appraisal Take?
The completion schedule depends on the property, assignment requirements, inspection availability, and current workload. An estimated delivery date will be conveyed before the assignment is accepted.
Service Area and Standards
What Areas Does Infinity Appraisal Serve?
Infinity Appraisal provides residential appraisal services throughout Clark County and in Pahrump, Nevada.
Communities served include:
- Las Vegas
- Henderson
- North Las Vegas
- Boulder City
- Indian Springs
- Other Clark County communities
- Pahrump
Service availability is confirmed based on the property address and assignment requirements.
Are Appraisal Reports Confidential?
Appraisal information and reports are handled in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements and professional standards.
An appraisal report is prepared for the identified client and intended users. Infinity Appraisal cannot automatically release the report or discuss confidential assignment information with another party without proper authorization.
What Professional Standards Does Infinity Appraisal Follow?
Infinity Appraisal completes appraisal assignments in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, commonly known as USPAP, and applicable state laws.
Each assignment is approached with impartiality, objectivity, integrity, and attention to its intended use.
Inspection and Report
Understand property access, inspection options, preparation, valuation, and report delivery.
Does the Appraiser Need to Access the Property?
The scope of work for the assignment determines whether an inspection is needed and what type of inspection is appropriate.
What Types of Inspections Are There?
An interior inspection includes access to the interior and exterior of the property. A drive-by inspection is limited to a visual observation from the street and does not include interior or rear access.
An inspection is not required for every appraisal assignment. The need for an inspection and the appropriate inspection type are determined by the scope of work necessary to produce credible assignment results.
What Happens During the Property Inspection?
During the inspection, the appraiser observes the property, takes measurements and photographs, and records relevant notes about its characteristics and condition.
The inspection is one part of the appraisal process. Afterward, the appraiser completes the necessary market research and analysis.
How Should I Prepare for the Inspection?
Make sure the appraiser can safely access the property and all relevant areas. Before the appointment:
- Provide access to each room and applicable exterior areas
- Secure pets
- Open curtains and blinds
- Turn on lights
- Unlock doors to areas the appraiser needs to observe
- Make a list of significant renovations or improvements
- Gather any relevant documents requested by the appraiser
- Identify features that may not be readily visible during the inspection
The property does not need to be staged, but clear access and adequate lighting help the appraiser observe the property efficiently.
Is an Appraisal the Same as a Home Inspection?
No. An appraisal develops an opinion of the property's value for a specific intended use.
A home inspection focuses on the property's physical condition and may identify defects, safety concerns, or recommended repairs. An appraisal inspection is not a substitute for a professional home inspection.
How Is the Property's Value Determined?
The appraiser considers relevant property characteristics, market conditions, comparable sales, location, condition, and other factors applicable to the assignment.
The final opinion of value is based on the appraiser's research, analysis, professional judgment, and the requirements of the assignment. It is not based on a predetermined amount or desired result.
How Will I Receive the Completed Appraisal?
The completed appraisal report is delivered to the client. The appraiser is available to answer additional questions the client may have about the report.
The report is prepared for its identified client, intended users, and intended use. It should not be relied upon for a different purpose without determining whether a new assignment is required.