Frequently asked questions

Slater Appraisals, Inc. covers Palm Beach County and Broward County, Florida. That includes West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Hollywood, along with the smaller communities in between. If your property is in South Florida and you're unsure whether it's in the service area, call (215) 687-2406 and ask.

The on-site inspection usually takes 30 to 60 minutes for a single-family home and 20 to 40 minutes for a condo. The written report is typically delivered within a few business days after inspection, depending on complexity and the availability of comparable sales. Rush turnaround is sometimes possible for time-sensitive matters like closings or court dates. Ask when you call.

Fees are low and straightforward, quoted per assignment based on property type, size, location, complexity, and the intended use of the report. A standard single-family home appraisal costs less than a large waterfront estate or a complex retrospective valuation for probate. Call or email with the property address and the reason you need the appraisal, and you'll get a straight quote before any work starts.

Robin Slater personally handles every assignment, from the inspection through the final report. Slater Appraisals, Inc. is a one-appraiser practice, not a firm that hands work off to trainees or subcontractors. When you hire Slater Appraisals, Inc., you're hiring over 40 years of South Florida appraisal experience, and that same person is who you'll deal with start to finish.

Yes. A significant portion of the practice is work for estate and family law attorneys across Palm Beach and Broward County. Reports are prepared to withstand scrutiny in probate, in mediation, and in court. Robin can act as a neutral joint appraiser in divorce matters when both parties agree, and is available for testimony when a case requires it.

Often yes. An independent appraisal gives you a defensible number that isn't tied to a commission, so you can list at a price the market supports rather than guessing. It also gives you documentation to show buyers or their agents when your list price is challenged. Sellers who price accurately from the start typically avoid the price cuts that erode final sale price.

In most cases, yes. Lenders will generally accept an independent appraisal showing your current loan-to-value ratio has dropped below their PMI threshold, usually 80 percent. The appraisal is prepared in standard lender format and sent to you to submit to your servicer. Many South Florida homeowners have gained enough equity in recent years to drop PMI and don't realize it.

It's a valuation with an effective date in the past rather than today. For estates, the effective date is usually the date the owner passed away, which sets the stepped-up basis for the heirs. For divorce, it may be the date of separation or filing. The appraiser analyzes the market as it existed on that date, using sales that closed around that time.

Yes. If your Palm Beach or Broward County assessed value looks too high compared with the actual market, an independent appraisal prepared as of the assessment date gives you the evidence to petition the Value Adjustment Board or negotiate with the property appraiser's office. Call early in the appeal window so there's time to complete the report before your deadline.

Yes. Slater Appraisals, Inc. has no financial interest in the value, no commission on a sale, and no relationship with a lender that pushes the number one way or the other. The fee is for the work of preparing the report, not for hitting a specific value. That independence is why attorneys, accountants, and homeowners hire an appraiser instead of relying on an agent's opinion.

Call (215) 687-2406 or email [email protected] with the property address, the type of property, and the reason you need the appraisal (estate, divorce, pre-listing, PMI, tax appeal, and so on). You'll get a fee quote and an estimated timeline. Once you approve, the inspection is scheduled and the report follows within a few business days.

Yes, and condo work is a regular part of the practice given how much of South Florida's coastal housing stock is condo and townhome. Valuations account for association financials, reserves, special assessments, milestone inspection status, and rental rules, all of which can affect value in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and other condo-heavy markets.