Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
“Dear PoPville,
After spending lots of money to finish my basement and convert it into a one bedroom apartment, I need to increase the insurance on the property. My insurance says I need to get the property appraised. The appraisal company is telling it will cost over $600 to get an appraisal for both my residence and the apartment below, or he can do a regular appraisal and include the apartment below as an in-law suite, this will cost $375. According to the appraiser the in-law suite solution will not reflect the real value of the property. Am I being taken for a ride? What is the difference. I don’t want to beat the system, I just want to make sure I get back what I have spent in the event of a fire or other unforeseen issue.”