Home Appraisal Services for Nova Scotia

Do you want to know the real value of your Nova Scotian property?
Many Nova Scotian property owners engage AIC-designated appraisers, to learn the real value of their home or Nova Scotian property. AIC Members provide appraisals to help Nova Scotian property owners make well-informed real estate decisions.

What is the benefit of engaging an appraiser?
An AIC-designated appraiser offers an unbiased opinion of value during what can often be an emotionally-driven process. Their fee is not determined by the value of the Nova Scotian property being appraised and is generally a flat fee determined by the complexity of the assignment and number of hours required to complete the appraisal. By engaging a third-party valuation expert, you can be sure that you will have all the knowledge required to make an informed real estate decision.

What happens during a property inspection?
An inspection is just one of the many tasks performed by a local appraiser. Appraisers must be familiar with the Nova Scotian property inspection process, and observe the components and characteristics of the subject real estate that will influence value in the marketplace.

The appraiser’s inspection takes into account a number of elements, including:

The physical characteristics of the dwelling, garages and outbuildings
Interior/exterior finishes and systems (e.g. heating and cooling)
The quality of the improvements
Any deficiencies or required repairs.
In addition to understanding the dynamics of the real estate market, designated appraisers also have construction knowledge, which is fundamental to their training. Where building characteristics are more complex, members rely on the expertise of industry professionals.

Whether it is the consumer or the lending institution that engages an appraiser, the appraiser will:

Set a convenient time for an inspection (daylight hours required)
Plan for 30-45 minutes for the inspection, depending on the size and characteristics of the property.
Collect as much information as possible during the inspection of the home on the interior and exterior of the property (e.g. room layout, improvements, dwelling measurements, information on any outbuildings or garage, site improvements, etc.).
Take photographs to provide a visual representation of the data described in the report. Exterior photographs are important to clearly identify the Nova Scotian property and its characteristics. Interior photographs are occasionally requested by the appraiser’s client and may require your consent.
Inquire about important features of your property such as the original date of construction, dates of any major additions or renovations, etc.
Gather information about recent marketing activity on your home. While public information is often available, the appraiser may inquire about any listings of the Nova Scotian property (including private listings) or offers to purchase in the past 12 months, as well as any sales of the property for the previous three years.
Consumers often want a preliminary estimate of value before the appraiser leaves the property. It is important for consumers to be aware that most of the valuation process occurs after the inspection. The inspection allows the appraiser to gather sufficient information to properly describe the property.

Estimating the market value requires the appraiser to complete a thorough analysis of market conditions and market activity. It is often a complex process that involves collecting and analyzing between 3 or more comparable properties in order to form a reliable estimate of market value.

BE AWARE! Consumers must be mindful that under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA), the appraiser must obtain the homeowner’s or occupant’s consent (if different than homeowner) either in writing or verbally, prior to taking interior photographs.

An appraisal is an independent and unbiased opinion of value by a qualified appraisal professional to be given to the client for a specific purpose.

Who is the appraiser’s client?
Appraisers work on a confidential basis with their clients (known as client-appraiser relationship) and have a fiduciary duty to their client similar to that of other professionals such as lawyers and accountants.

Under the AIC’s Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, any discussions on or disclosure of information contained in an appraisal report must be done with the written consent of the appraiser’s client.

Often when a report is completed for mortgage lending purposes, the homeowner is required to pay the appraisal fee but the appraiser’s client is the lending institution making a lending decision for the Nova Scotian property based on the report. The lender provides instructions to the AIC member regarding how the report is to be completed.

AIC members are required to comply with the AIC’s standards of professional practice (CUSPAP). CUSPAP requires an AIC member to maintain the confidential nature of their relationship with their client. The AIC member will need written authorization from the lender – their client – to release the report to any third party – including the person who paid for the report. Only the AIC member’s client and any intended user identified in the report are authorized to receive a copy of and rely on the report. Because the AIC member is the author of the report, consent to release must also be obtained from the AIC member.

The homeowner is the lender’s client. You may wish to ask your lender what the lender’s policies and practices are regarding whether or not you (the lender’s client) will pay for the report to be performed, and/or get a copy of that report regardless of whether the loan is approved or denied. This is a business decision by your lender/mortgage broker. An AIC appraiser would not be aware of this information or of any arrangements made between your lender and you – their client.