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Updated about 6 years ago, 09/19/2018
Minnesota Appraisal Help
I have recently requested to have my PMI dropped on my primary residence because I believe the value of the property has increased enough to merit the PMI cancellation. The appraisal was done utilizing three comps, 2 in my condo development, and one in a condo complex close by. My unit of the condo is on the second and third floor, the other two units in my complex used by the appraiser are on the 1st floor and basement. The appraiser counted the basement finished square footage as the same value as the above grade square footage. Everything I understand about appraisals tell me that is incorrect. So, I wrote a response explaining how I think the appraiser made a mistake counting the below grade square footage the same as the above grade (due note that this building is from 1901 and the foundation is limestone blocks). The response I received is as follows "Your Appraiser is and was aware that sales 1 and 2 (the two units in my condo that were used for the appraisal) have lower level finish It was included in the GLA due to the fact that these units were all finished at the time of conversion (the condo was created and basement finished in 2005 when a developer bought the former mansion and split it up into units) with similar material and quality. The subject is the 2nd and 3rd floors. Sale 1 is the 1st floor and lower level of the same building" Essentially he's saying the basement does count the same as above grade because it has similar finishes to the above grade. Maybe this is new but this is not my understanding. Can someone shed light if I'm off base here? and if I'm not what's my recourse for an appraisal that is done incorrectly?