Appraisal Donation

[Stone]

Hello. I'm sure people donate appraisal services, but I am not sure how to do this in a way that doesn't come with a large headache. (I can handle a small headache) I am considering donating a residential appraisal or two to a local charity that will take bids on the service. Having never done this I am concerned that there will be some sort of problem that causes this to be a mistake.

I'm looking for any advice about how to word my offer of services, so that I don't end up spending 40 hours doing a free appraisal. Any advice on this or any other pitfalls that anyone can think of would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Roger]

I have completed appraisals for no fee, for a number of years, for our local Habitat for Humanity.

These are mostly for newly constructed Habitat Homes, but also a few on properties that were donated to the local chapter. The people donating the properties use my reports to document their deductions for chatitable contributions.

I've never had a problem with anything I've completed for them.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Michael;

I donate a single family residential appraisal to the local PBS affiliate each year. I indicate it is confined to one county, and have actually only had two winning bidders ever call for the appraisal over 11 years. I guess the rest consider it a donation.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Michael,

I would just type on my letterhead:

DONATION

One (1) Residential Appraisal for One (1) Property Within ____ County, And Within The Boundaries of _________ and __________, in the State of _______.

The following criteria must apply:

1) Property must be zoned residential
2) Land content must not exceed _______ (sf or acres)
3) Purpose of appraisal is to develop an Opinion of Value and is not to be utilized for mortgage financing, or for any other reason.
4) This donation certificate expires in _______ days.
5) etc.

(signed) -------------------

That's what I would do

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

This certificate is good for one URAR Appraisal Report

Property must be:
A typical residential dwelling located within a typical platted subdivision in ________ County.
Or
This certificate can be used toward the fee of any other type of Appraisal Report or service within North East Florida.

Every one I put out prior to this wording turned into a nightmare! Even had one guy try to use it for a commercial job. A couple of Realtors tried to use it for rural acreage, complex properties or a quadraplex. Make sure you put the $ value of the certificate on it. I also put a 1 year expiration date on it. I had a couple of them not used too.

 

[Stone]

Thanks for all the advice. This would be for a PBS auction. I also like the idea of doing appraisals for Habitat. They are a really good group.