602-312-9571Independent pre-listing appraisals for sellers, FSBO owners and agents. Full appraisals starting at $500 · Desktop appraisals $150 · About 5 business days.
Firebird Appraisals & Consulting · Gabe Trevizo, Arizona license 22146 · VA designated appraiser · over 20 years appraising Valley homes · Gilbert-based, serving the Phoenix metro and Pinal County (Apache Junction, Maricopa, Casa Grande, San Tan Valley) · USPAP-compliant · fee never depends on value
Price too high and the listing sits, collects price cuts and may sell for less than if it were priced right on day one. Price too low and you leave money on the table. A pre-listing appraisal gives you an independent opinion of market value before you go live.
Why appraise before you list?
- No sales incentive behind the number. An agent’s CMA is a marketing opinion; we have no stake in whether, when or for how much you sell.
- Fewer surprises from the buyer’s appraisal — a price that’s more likely to hold up when the lender’s appraiser arrives.
- Help with hard-to-price homes: custom builds, large lots, horse properties, major renovations, thin-sale neighborhoods.
- Support for negotiations — some sellers share the report to back their price.
- Better update decisions before you spend on paint, flooring or a kitchen.
Who uses them
- FSBO sellers who need a supported list price
- Agents with unusual listings, or heirs/spouses who disagree on price
- Estates selling an inherited home (Estate Appraisals)
- Divorcing couples deciding sell vs. buy out (Divorce Appraisals)
- Relocating owners who need to price it right the first time
Full appraisal or desktop appraisal?
| Full appraisal – starting at $500 | Desktop appraisal – $150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | Interior & exterior visit, measurements, photos | No site visit; MLS, public records and owner-provided info |
| Best for | Required for contested divorces; high-stakes matters, unique homes, anything where condition matters | Uncontested or informational uses only: early planning, amicable settlements, quick value checks |
| Limits | — | Relies on available data and stated assumptions about condition; not right if condition or size is in dispute |
| Turnaround | About 5 business days after inspection | About 5 business days |
| Not sure which fits? Tell us how the report will be used and who will rely on it, and we will recommend the right scope before you pay anything. |
Tip for sellers: a $150 desktop is a fast, low-cost price check for typical homes. Unique homes, recent renovations or condition questions call for a full appraisal so the upgrades are actually seen and measured.
What a full appraisal includes
Inspection and measurement with photos; local market analysis (sales, actives, pendings, trends); comparable sales with supported adjustments; a written report written for you, not a lender.
How to prepare
Improvements with dates/costs; solar details (owned/leased, size); HOA info and special assessments; permits for additions, casitas or garage conversions; anything a buyer’s inspector may find. Be candid.
Appraisal vs. CMA vs. online estimate
- Online estimate: no inspection; often misses condition, upgrades, micro-location.
- CMA: an agent’s pricing recommendation; usually free when you list.
- Pre-listing appraisal: independent, USPAP-compliant, documented analysis. Many sellers use a CMA and an appraisal together.
Need only accurate square footage? See our home measurement service.
Areas we serve
Gilbert-based, serving the Phoenix metro (Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and more) and Pinal County cities of Apache Junction, Maricopa, Casa Grande and San Tan Valley. See our service area.
FAQ
Will the buyer’s lender accept it? Usually not — lenders order their own. It still helps you pick a price the buyer’s appraisal is more likely to support.
Cost? Full starting at $500; desktop $150.
Will it beat my agent’s price? It may be higher, lower or the same; we report what the market supports.
Get a quote
Request a Quote → (address, purpose, effective date, intended users, deadline) · Call 602-312-9571 · Email Orders@firebirdappraisals.com
Related: Non-Lender Appraisals · PMI Removal · Home Measurement · FAQ