Lake Conroe Appraisals Blog

Ever had a client or agent ask, “Why didn’t you use the sale down the street?” Yeah… we get that one a lot. Truth is, appraisers don’t just grab three random houses off Zillow and call it a day. There’s actually a method (and a little madness) behind every comp that makes it onto your appraisal report. As a state-certified residential appraiser here in Montgomery County , I spend way too many late nights cross-referencing MLS, county records, and TrueTracts maps to make sure every sale I use actually reflects the market for your property. Here’s a peek behind the curtain. 🔍 Step 1: Location, Location… Market Area Forget the myth that every comp must be within a one-mile radius. That might work in a cookie-cutter subdivision, but around Lake Conroe , you’ve got waterfront, acreage, cul-de-sacs, and houses with shops big enough to store a small aircraft. What really matters is the market area — homes competing for the same buyer. Sometimes that’s within a mile, sometimes it’s a...

Everything You Need to Know from a Local State-Certified Residential Appraiser If you're buying, selling, refinancing, protesting your property taxes, or dealing with estate planning—chances are, you'll need a home appraisal at some point. But here's the thing: most people (including agents) only think they understand what an appraisal really is. As a State-Certified Residential Appraiser serving Conroe, Willis, The Woodlands, Montgomery, and the rest of Montgomery County , I’m here to pull back the curtain and give you the real scoop—without the fluff or lender lingo. 🏡 What Is a Home Appraisal? A home appraisal is an unbiased, professional opinion of a property's value, completed by a licensed appraiser. It’s usually required by lenders during a real estate transaction, but there are many other reasons to get one (more on that below). This isn’t a Zestimate. This isn’t what your neighbor said they sold their house for. This is a valuation based on market dat...