Iowa Land Specialist | Associate General Appraiser
When you need financing, settling an estate, or buying or selling property, a certified appraisal is important. It provides a reliable and unbiased value to aid in significant decisions. But how do I get a certified land appraisal? Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved in the certified land appraisal process.
1. Initial Contact: Reaching Out to the Appraiser
First, contact a certified land appraiser near you with experience in the type of property you need appraised. This may include land, buildings, or a combination of both. During this initial conversation, you’ll typically discuss the purpose of the appraisal, property details, timelines, and any special considerations.
2. Signing an Engagement Letter
Before work begins, you’ll receive an engagement letter from the appraiser. This formal document outlines the scope of work, fees, timeline, and responsibilities of each party. Once both sides agree and sign, the appraiser can begin their due diligence.
3. Gathering Accurate Information
One key part of the process involves collecting property-specific data. The appraiser often works with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) or local land offices. They gather accurate information about soil types, land use history, acreage, improvements, and legal boundaries. This step ensures that the appraisal relies on verified, current land data.
4. Searching and Analyzing Comparable Sales
The land appraiser examines recent sales of similar properties, known as comps, comparables, or comparable sales. This helps them find market trends and set a value. When selecting relevant comparables, we consider factors such as location, size, land use, and improvements.
5. Extracting Proper Adjustments from Market Data
No two properties are exactly alike. That’s why appraisers must apply market-derived adjustments to the comps. For instance, researchers quantify differences in land access, productivity, or improvements using data from the local market. This step is critical for arriving at a fair and defensible valuation.
6. Preparing the Final Land Appraisal Report
Once all data has been gathered and analyzed, the appraiser prepares a comprehensive final report. This document has detailed descriptions of the property. It includes market evaluations, comparable sales, and valuation methods.
Finally, it gives an opinion of value. The team prepares the report in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
7. Deliver the Land Appraisal to the Client
The final step is for the land appraiser to deliver the report to the client. You can choose to do this electronically or as a printed copy based on your preference. From here, you can use the appraisal to support lending, estate planning, legal matters, or internal decision-making.
Getting a certified appraisal is a structured, multi-step process that ensures transparency, accuracy, and credibility. Working with a certified land appraiser who is familiar with your industry or local market is crucial. This is especially true for agriculture or rural property. A good appraiser will help you obtain an appraisal that accurately reflects the fair market value. If you need a certified appraisal in Iowa, contact Associate General Appraiser Noah Hopp today.
Do you want to learn more?
Have you recently inherited land and are unsure of what to do? Contact a local High Point Land Company agent. For more questions regarding land real estate, visit our YouTube Knowledge Center!
About Noah Hopp
Growing up in New Hampton, IA, Noah Hopp was the youngest of four brothers. Noah took every opportunity he could to spend time outdoors and was deeply involved in athletics. He attended Iowa State University, where he developed a love for farmland. Noah married his 7th-grade sweetheart and moved to Cedar Falls, IA, where he currently resides.
Noah primarily focuses on helping Families handle estate sales and selling row crop ground located in Central Iowa. To buy or sell farmland in Central Iowa, Noah is here to help. He can also provide information about the current market conditions.
Related Pages
Certified Land Appraisal Services
Why you need a Certified Appraiser
