FAQ

Ascot Appraisals is a Real Estate Appraisal firm specializing in quality Residential Real Estate Appraisals with a 2-4 Day turn around time.

Q. Is Ascot Appraisals FHA approved?

A. YES! But, to be more specific our individual appraisers are FHA approved, so you won’t find Asot Appraisals on the roster, but you will find Michael Doran currently listed on the HUD roster at www.hud.gov

Q. What areas does Ascot Appraisals cover?

A. Our service area includes but is not limited to: Kern County, Bakersfield, Arvin, Delano, Lamont, Lake Isabella, Tehachapi, Ridgecrest and surrounding areas with quality, accurate, quick residential appraisal services.

Q. What forms of payment does Ascot Appraisals accept?

We accept nearly all forms of payment including credit cards. Credit card payments are accepted via PayPal and no, you do NOT require a PayPal account in order to utilize the credit card payment services.

Q. What is a Certified Residential Appraiser?

There are four levels of California real estate appraiser licensing. They are:

* AT – Trainee License
* AL – Residential License
* AR – Certified Residential License
* AG – Certified General License

Mike Doran, the head appraiser of Ascot Appraisals, is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Bakersfield, servicing Kern County, California. Mike Doran is qualified to appraise any 1-4 family property without regard to transaction value or complexity; and non-residential property with a transaction value up to $250,000

Mike Doran has over 200 Hours of education covering 10 modules, including 15 hour National USPAP (UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE) Course which he also takes annually in his continuing education courses.

Q. What types of appraisals are done by Ascot Appraisals?

A.

• FHA Appraisals – at no extra charge!
• New Home Tract Construction appraisals
• Custom Home Construction appraisal
• Conventional Tract Housing
• Condominiums
• Small Residential Income Property
• Manufactured Home appraisals
• Multi-Family 2-4 Unit Property
• Vacant land appraisals

Q. Doesn’t the lender decide which appraisal firm to use?

A. Industry standards are changing all the time. Currently, HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct) dictates that conventional loan appraisals must go through an AMC (Appraisal Management Company) to allow for appropriate distance between the appraiser (who is an unbiased evaluator of the property’s value) and the lender. As of 01/08/2010 FHA appraisers are selected by the mortgage company but this is potentially changing as of February 2010. More than likely Ascot Appraisals is already on your lenders “approved list” if not, we can quickly provide your lender with the necessary documentation to become approved.

Q. Does Ascot Appraisals do any commercial appraisals?

A. Not at this time, but we will be more than happy to refer you to a credible, local firm who will be more than happy to accommodate your needs.

Q. Do you accept residential appraisal orders online?

A. Absolutely! Order information can be found here.

Q. I noted that your site lists a 2-4 day turn around, but when I called to get more information I was quoted 5 – 10 business days, why?

A. First, it is 2-4 days from time of inspection, this is because we are not only working within our time schedule (although, if it were up to us 100% of the time inspections would be done within 48 hours of the placement of the order) but we are working within the time frame of the property owner, real estate agent, rental management company, tenants, etc.

2-4 Days also applies to basic residential appraisals (tract homes, new homes, etc.) that are located locally (Bakersfield, Taft, Delano, Arvin, etc.) – the time line quoted above (5-10 business days) applies to houses that are located on acreage (comparable properties take more time to research and locate) or vacant land appraisals (bare lots, acreage, etc.) and are located in sparsely populated areas. In short, we have to go further and research more to make sure that we get a valid and accurate value for that property.

All of our turn around times EXCLUDE all weekends and ALL US Holidays.

Q. What are your hours of operation?

A.
Monday – Friday
9am – 6pm

Excluding all US holidays.

Email anytime!

Q. Do you accept rush orders?

A. We are willing to work with all of our clients within reason. If you have special considerations feel free to discuss it with the appraiser. All of our residential real estate appraisers deal with clients directly and personally.

Q. What is your mailing address?

A.

Ascot Appraisals
13061 Rosedale Hwy, Ste. G, PMB#154
Bakersfield, CA 93314

Q. What is Ascot Appraisals’ fax number?

A. 661.878.7184

Q. Can I fax you an order for a residential real estate appraisal?

A. You can… but we prefer that you use our online appraisal order form instead. Faxing can be unreliable and often distorts the order form. Our clients who order online practically never go back to faxing us orders.