Need appraisal for co-sponsor's assets?

[gingerblue 0]

I'm the USC, petitioning for my fiance who is in the UK. I do not work, but my fiance has substantial assets tied up in his house. It's up for sale and has not sold yet (thank you UK housing market), so therefore we are asking my parents to co-sponsor for the I-134. We don't need them for the AOS because by then we're hoping my fiance's house will be sold and he will be able to self sponsor for AOS. My parents are retired with little income and are planning to use their farm's value as the asset on the I-134. (The value of the farm far surpasses the I-864's requirement, and has no mortgage.)

Question is, do my parents need to get an appraisal for the farm or is a mere statement of its value sufficient evidence? Since this is a huge favor on their part (they don't want the govt knowing their assets!) I really hesitate to ask them to get an appraisal ($400) if one's not necessary. (I know if would be necessary if we were to use them for the I-864).

Does anyone have any suggestions or additional input? This is so confusing. Seems this entire process is designed for a wealthy USC and poor beneficiary. Seems to be little provision for the beneficiary to be the one with the assets!

Also, if anyone sees a problem with this logic, let me know. I'd rather have this figured out BEFORE we get to the interview, LOL!

[Ning 619]

I'm the USC, petitioning for my fiance who is in the UK. I do not work, but my fiance has substantial assets tied up in his house. It's up for sale and has not sold yet (thank you UK housing market), so therefore we are asking my parents to co-sponsor for the I-134. We don't need them for the AOS because by then we're hoping my fiance's house will be sold and he will be able to self sponsor for AOS. My parents are retired with little income and are planning to use their farm's value as the asset on the I-134. (The value of the farm far surpasses the I-864's requirement, and has no mortgage.)

Question is, do my parents need to get an appraisal for the farm or is a mere statement of its value sufficient evidence? Since this is a huge favor on their part (they don't want the govt knowing their assets!) I really hesitate to ask them to get an appraisal ($400) if one's not necessary. (I know if would be necessary if we were to use them for the I-864).

Does anyone have any suggestions or additional input? This is so confusing. Seems this entire process is designed for a wealthy USC and poor beneficiary. Seems to be little provision for the beneficiary to be the one with the assets!

Also, if anyone sees a problem with this logic, let me know. I'd rather have this figured out BEFORE we get to the interview, LOL!

There is no requirement to have appraisal that I know of. There is no request for that. Dont read into this what isnt there is my suggestion.

The process isnt designed for the wealthy at all. They dont seem to follow the laws that we do.

There are provisions for the Beneficiary to have the assets. The problem is those assets are in a different country. Have your B F transfer his assets to you in the USA or deal with the laws as they apply to you. Thats what we all had to do.

[gingerblue 0]

There is no requirement to have appraisal that I know of. There is no request for that. Dont read into this what isnt there is my suggestion.

The process isnt designed for the wealthy at all. They dont seem to follow the laws that we do.

There are provisions for the Beneficiary to have the assets. The problem is those assets are in a different country. Have your B F transfer his assets to you in the USA or deal with the laws as they apply to you. Thats what we all had to do.

Hmm, that's not really very helpful. This is my very first question asked on VJ and I don't feel very good after reading this. Feels a bit...um...mean. I hope you didn't mean it that way.

I didn't ask about dealing with the laws and I'm not trying to circumvent them, why would you think I was? What laws were you referring to? Perhaps there's something I don't know about?

I just wondered if anyone knew if real estate has to have an appraisal for use with the I-134. Of if we even need a co-sponsor at that point if the beneficiary has real estate in the UK.

I ask this specifically because I do know that London looks differently upon the beneficiary's assets than many other embassies do.

[Dakine 26]

There is no requirement to have appraisal that I know of. There is no request for that. Dont read into this what isnt there is my suggestion.

The process isnt designed for the wealthy at all. They dont seem to follow the laws that we do.

There are provisions for the Beneficiary to have the assets. The problem is those assets are in a different country. Have your B F transfer his assets to you in the USA or deal with the laws as they apply to you. Thats what we all had to do.

Hmm, that's not really very helpful. This is my very first question asked on VJ and I don't feel very good after reading this. Feels a bit...um...mean. I hope you didn't mean it that way.

I didn't ask about dealing with the laws and I'm not trying to circumvent them, why would you think I was? What laws were you referring to? Perhaps there's something I don't know about?

I just wondered if anyone knew if real estate has to have an appraisal for use with the I-134. Of if we even need a co-sponsor at that point if the beneficiary has real estate in the UK.

I ask this specifically because I do know that London looks differently upon the beneficiary's assets than many other embassies do.

I qualified with income but I had an appraisal done to back up my assets just to be safe as I was close to the requirements for income.

Don't know what UK accepts from beneficiaries wages and assets but most embassies are only concerned with what the petitioner makes

Appraisals should be done if petitioner or co sponsor is using proberty to meet the asset requirements.

Edited August 3, 2008 by Haole

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

You might have a little more luck asking this in the UK sub-forum -- you're right in thinking that London does things a little differently. There are several UK folks who have self-sponsored for the I-134 and who might give you a steer.

[gingerblue 0]

Thanks guys, I'll ask over on the UK forum.