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Certified Residential Appraiser In NYC

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What Is A Residential Property Appraisal?

Simply put, a residential property appraisal is an unbiased evaluation that provides an opinion on the market value of your home based on current or retrospective market conditions. While many property owners assume that the floorplan and design of your home determines its value, there are actually other key factors to consider, including:

  • Unique neighborhood features and proximity to neighborhood services.
  • Quality and condition.
  • Size.

That’s why working with a team of certified appraisers in NYC is crucial to understanding the full picture of your property’s worth, and Block Appraisals is here to get the job done quickly and accurately.

Why Choose a Certified NYC Residential Appraiser?

New York City’s residential real estate market is unlike anywhere else in the country. From pre-war co-ops with complex board packages to luxury condos with amenity-driven valuations, single-family homes, townhouses, and multi-family properties, understanding local market nuances is essential. A certified residential appraiser brings expertise in NYC-specific factors like building financials, board restrictions, neighborhood micro-markets, and the unique considerations that affect property values across all five boroughs.

Commercial property appraisal in progress with an agent checking the site.

Types of Properties We Evaluate:

  • Single-family Homes
  • Multi-family Homes
  • Townhouses
  • Co-Ops Cooperatives
  • Condominiums
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Insurance Agent Presentation And Consultations

Understanding NYC Residential Property Types

Single-family Homes

Stand-alone residential properties requiring analysis of land value, site characteristics, property condition, comparable sales in the neighborhood, and exterior features such as yards, driveways, and parking.

Multi-family Properties

Two to four-family homes are valued considering both owner-occupancy and income potential, requiring expertise in both residential and investment property analysis.

Townhouses & Brownstones

These properties can range from single-family to 1-4 family homes depending on location and configuration. Appraisals require detailed analysis of condition, original details, renovation quality, location-specific factors, and whether used for owner-occupancy, rental income, or a mix of both.

Co-ops & Condos

NYC's co-op market requires specialized appraisal knowledge including share allocation, proprietary lease terms, building financials, flip taxes, board approval processes, and sublet policies. Condos require understanding of common charges, building amenities, and reserve fund adequacy. For both co-ops and condos, appraisers analyze commercial percentages, percentage of investor-owned or sponsor-owned units, and determine whether buildings are warrantable or unwarrantable for financing purposes.

  • When preparing to buy or sell your home (negotiating a purchase price or pre-listing)
  • When preparing to apply for an equity loan or home equity line of credit
  • During the refinancing process to potentially eliminate PMI or secure better rates
  • During divorce proceedings
  • When dividing property between partners or family members
  • When settling an estate, probate or tax reporting purposes
  • If you're purchasing an investment property and need accurate valuation
  • While appealing property taxes or removing PMI insurance
  • For estate planning and establishing stepped-up basis values
  • When disputing a low appraisal from a lender-ordered evaluation

When Should You Hire A NYC Property Appraiser?

Getting a property appraisal is an integral part of any real estate transaction, regardless of your reasons for needing an evaluation. That being said, there are a few key points when the help of a property appraiser can be critical:

What Makes a Quality Residential Appraisal?

A comprehensive residential appraisal goes far beyond just pulling comparable sales. Our certified appraisers provide:

In-Depth Property Inspection – Detailed examination of interior condition, recent renovations, building systems, and unique features that affect value.

Neighborhood Analysis – Assessment of location factors including schools, transportation, shopping, parks, and development trends.

Comparable Sales Research – Identification of truly comparable properties, not just similar addresses. We analyze actual sales data, adjusting for differences in size, condition, location, and amenities.

Market Conditions Assessment – Current market trends, absorption rates, and buyer demand in your specific micro-market.

Regulatory Considerations – For co-ops and condos, analysis of building financials, board requirements, and restrictions that impact marketability.

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The NYC Residential Appraisal Process

Step 1
Initial Consultation

We discuss your property type, purpose for the appraisal, timeline, and any unique circumstances that may affect valuation.

Step 2
Property Inspection

If applicable based on the assignment, our certified appraiser conducts a thorough on-site inspection, documenting condition, features, improvements, and any factors affecting value. Inspections typically take 30-60 minutes, but could be longer or shorter depending on the property type and complexity.

Step 3
Research & Analysis

We research comparable sales, analyze market data, and apply appropriate valuation methods to determine your property's value.

Step 4
Report Delivery

You'll receive a comprehensive appraisal report meeting USPAP standards. Reports are typically delivered electronically, with completion time varying depending on timely delivery of any requested documentation and the complexity of specific property types. Rush service available when needed.

NYC-Specific Valuation Factors

Residential appraisals in New York City require understanding of unique local factors:

Building Considerations

  • Co-op board strength, board rules, and financial health (for co-ops and condos)
  • Building assessments and upcoming capital improvements
  • Flip taxes and transfer fees (for co-ops and condos)
  • Sublet policies and rental restrictions
  • Rights appraised including ground leases
  • External obsolescence
  • Property condition and deferred maintenance (for single, two, three, or four-family homes)

Location Factors

  • Proximity to subway lines and transportation
  • School districts and zone changes
  • Neighborhood gentrification or development trends
  • Street-level considerations (noise, parking, retail)

Property-Specific Elements

  • Pre-war character vs. modern finishes
  • Outdoor space (terrace, patio, balcony, garden, roof rights), pools, parking, or other improvements
  • Floor level and exposure for apartments (light, views, noise), or site characteristics for stand-alone homes
  • Building amenities and doorman service (for co-ops and condos), or property-specific features for single-family and multi-family homes

Common Residential Appraisal Questions

The inspection itself typically takes 30-60 minutes, but can take more or less time based on property type and complexity. Full report delivery timing varies depending on property complexity and timely receipt of requested documentation, with rush options available.

Home inspections examine property condition and systems. Appraisals determine market value based on condition, location, and comparable sales.

Not required, but helpful. For condos and co-ops, you can provide access via super, managing agent, doorman, neighbors, friends, or family members. For 1-4 family homes, neighbors, friends, family members, or tenants can provide access. Additionally, while the appraiser is onsite, they can call or video conference to go over characteristics of the property with the client.

Quality renovations typically add value, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. However, over-improvements beyond neighborhood standards may not yield dollar-for-dollar returns.

If there’s one thing that New Yorkers know for certain, it’s that no two boroughs are exactly alike. That’s why we focus on tailoring our property appraisals with each of our five coverage areas in mind, collecting real-time market data to give you the most accurate evaluation possible for your residential or commercial property.

Residential street in the West Village section of Manhattan

What to Prepare for Your Appraisal

Help ensure an accurate valuation by having ready:

  • Recent renovation receipts and permits
  • For co-ops and condos: financial statements, board packages, maintenance or HOA bills, and managing agent contact details
  • For 1-4 family homes: property tax bills, utility bills, and any rental income documentation (if applicable)
  • List of recent building or property improvements or assessments
  • Survey or floor plans if available
  • Records of any unique features or upgrades
  • Access arrangements (for condos/co-ops: doorman, super, managing agent; for 1-4 family homes: keys, tenant contact, family/friends)

What Our Clients Say About Us

Block Appraisals
Based on 141 reviews
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AC Mathiot
Scott was very responsive and provided an informative, professional and fair value within an efficient and convenient timeframe. Thank you !
Gabe Leibowitz
Scott's the best appraiser I've worked with. He's incredibly knowledgeable, super thorough and really responsive. I've used him multiple times now on important projects and he's been a dream partner. I can't recommend him highly enough!
Jack Mondello
Scotts’ experience and professional demeanor was evident through the entire appraisal process. His responsiveness and attention to detail made me realize that choosing Block Appraisals was the right decision. I highly recommend them.
Jessica Christo
We had an excellent experience with our appraisal completed by Scott. The report was extremely thorough, detailed, and clearly well-researched. Every aspect of our unit was carefully evaluated and accurately documented. Communication throughout the process was professional, timely, and transparent. We truly appreciated Scott’s attention to detail and would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a reliable and accurate appraisal.
CAVA
After working with multiple appraisers, I can confidently say this experience truly stood out. Scott was extremely professional and meticulous, taking the necessary time to thoroughly research the market and select accurate, truly comparable properties. The final report was detailed, well-supported, and clearly reflected real effort and expertise. It was refreshing to work with someone who approached the appraisal with such care and attention to detail. I highly recommend Scott’s services.
Anthony Esposito
I had a great experience working with Scott for my property appraisal. He was professional, thorough, and incredibly knowledgeable about the local Staten Island market. He took the time to explain his process, answer my questions, and provide clear reasoning behind the valuation. The report was detailed, well-supported, and delivered quickly.

It’s clear he takes pride in his work and cares about accuracy and transparency. I’d definitely recommend Scott and Block Appraisals to anyone looking for a reliable, honest, and straightforward appraiser.

Highly recommended.
doris gardner
I had a fantastic experience with Fred during the appraisal of my home.they were incredibly professional punctual and communicated the entire process
Daniela Sabel
I highly recommend working with Block Appraisals. My husband and I worked directly with Scott and his associate to get a residential building appraised. He is super detail oriented, great with communication and was very patient with all our questions.
Jayron Nesbit
The appraisers evaluated our two-bedroom in Astoria efficiently and professionally. They understood the local market dynamics and recent development in the area. Got the report back in five business days which met our timeline perfectly.
Stephen Daly
Needed an estate appraisal for tax purposes after my father passed. Scott was professional during a difficult time and provided documentation that satisfied the IRS requirements. Their expertise with estate valuations made the process much smoother.
Nikk Simpson
Reliable service from experienced appraisers . Would recommend Block Appraisals
Neil
I contacted scott to get my parents house appraised to sell the property.He advised me to get a date of death appraisal as my parents has passed away.He completed the appraisal on time and kept in touch with me through the process.I would recommend him to anyone who needs his services.
Hungkyu Chun
Scott was very responsive and professional. I like his competence and attitude. I will work with him again and introduced him to my client.
Jenny Magbanua
Scott helped us get two appraisals done with attention to detail and patience as we are new to this experience. Thank you! We highly recommend Scott and his team!
Samina Roy
My mortgage broker recommended Block Appraisals for a private appraisal for a date of death, and they did a solid job. Scheduled quickly, showed up on time, and sent the report back in a timely manner. Would use again.
Show - In - Tube
Had to get an estate appraisal done for my aunt's property in Queens. Scott completed everything within the timeline our lawyer needed, and the valuation was well-documented. Helped us settle things without any complications.
Brian Dotson
Overall great experience with professionals. Solid appraisers and fair pricing.
john waga
It was easier to understand and was able to finish my task in a timely fashion
Sophia Batson
Solid appraisers, fair pricing
Dellquan Roy
Hired them to appraise my small commercial space in Brooklyn. Professional service from start to finish. The appraisers were familiar with the area and the valuation made sense.

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