How to Prove Value of Assets?

[sanaamman 0]

We're done with our interview, and the consular officer said we need to show proof of the value of the assets. What would suffice? Do I actually have to have a certified appraiser? Or can I show them a tax assessment bill?

I've already printed out from the county assessor's website information including the market value of the property but it seems that wasn't enough...

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

I assume with assets you mean property? If so, yes, you need a recent official appraiser's cert, though if you bought the hourse very recently (as we did), the sales papers might suffice.

[Anh map 2,098]

We're done with our interview, and the consular officer said we need to show proof of the value of the assets. What would suffice? Do I actually have to have a certified appraiser? Or can I show them a tax assessment bill?

I've already printed out from the county assessor's website information including the market value of the property but it seems that wasn't enough...

Correct, you will need to obtain a recent valuation from a licensed appraiser. The tax assessment will not be acceptable.

[sanaamman 0]

The asset is not a home but a commercial investment property. Do I still need a licensed appraiser? I don't understand why government record (tax assessment) won't suffice...wouldn't the county assessor know the real value of a property??

[Done--Really 331]

Tax assessment has nothing to do with market value--you need an appraisal--REALLY !!! Just another case of looking for shortcuts that aren't there. Also, don't be surprised if the CO takes a haircut from the appraised value since the market for commercial property is less liquid than the housing market.

Edited November 16, 2011 by magical

[sanaamman 0]

I just called a couple of licensed appraisers and they all wanted at least $1,200 per commercial property (and I have two of them listed on the I-864). There has got to be another way. This is insane.

[Done--Really 331]

Might be worth a all to the embassy. The I-864 instructions specifically say that you MUST have an official appraisal for a house, but they are silent on commercial property, so we all assume that it would also need an appraisal. Every embassy is different, so a call is appropriate to see if they would accept a different method for a commercial property, and yes, $1200 is insane !! But it might be your only choice.

[pushbrk 12,899]

I just called a couple of licensed appraisers and they all wanted at least $1,200 per commercial property (and I have two of them listed on the I-864). There has got to be another way. This is insane.

No, there does NOT have to be another way to document the value of your property acceptably. You could obtain a joint sponsor with qualifying income.

Sometimes they will accept a copy of an actual tax assessment "bill" but it's just too easy to manufacture fake "downloads".

From the step by step instructions. This refers to a home but would apply to any real estate.

You may include the net value of your home as an asset. Thenet value of the home is the appraised value of the home,minus the sum of any and all loans secured by a mortgage,trust deed, or other lien on the home. If you wish to includ ethe net value of your home, this, you must include documentation demonstrating that you own it, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and evidence of the amountof any and all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien on the home.

Edited November 16, 2011 by pushbrk

[sanaamman 0]

Hmmm....what about a car? The joint sponsor owns two cars (fully paid, no liens). I understand that he can only use one of them. However, how do you prove the value of a car? Bluebook.com?

(by the way, I received an e-mail from the real estate appraiser saying there was a mistake, it isn't $1,200, it's $1,800 per commercial property...nice)

Edited November 17, 2011 by sanaamman

[pushbrk 12,899]

Hmmm....what about a car? The joint sponsor owns two cars. I understand that he can only use one of them. However, how do you prove the value of a car? Bluebook.com?

or kbb.com, yes. However, if the joint sponsor qualifies on income alone, they can simply leave all the asset information blank on the I-864. Sounds like you haven't yet carefully read the instructions OR the form itself.

[sanaamman 0]

See the problem is the joint sponsor's income is short by about $4,000. So we're looking for any assets to satisfy the 5x requirement. So if I were to just print off the bluebook webpage (bluebook is the same as kbb), that would be good enough?

The joint sponsor also a third car but he's still making payments. How would I prove this one? Just with a bill showing the balance due? Thanks.

Edited November 17, 2011 by sanaamman

[pushbrk 12,899]

See the problem is the joint sponsor's income is short by about $4,000. So we're looking for any assets to satisfy the 5x requirement. So if I were to just print off the bluebook webpage (bluebook is the same as kbb), that would be good enough?

The joint sponsor also a third car but he's still making payments. How would I prove this one? Just with a bill showing the balance due? Thanks.

What I'm trying to say is that if the joint sponsor has to use equity in cars to overcome an income shortfall just to meet the minimum, it would be wise to look for a better qualified sponsor. Read again what is considered a liquid asset, particularly the part that adds, without undue hardship to the sponsor or their family.

Edited November 17, 2011 by pushbrk

[sanaamman 0]

Finding another sponsor is much much easier said that done for me. My best option right now is to use the joint sponsor that I have. I just need to know how to prove the value of a car to the embassy. Does anyone here know or have experience with this? Is bluebook the best way?

[pushbrk 12,899]

Finding another sponsor is much much easier said that done for me. My best option right now is to use the joint sponsor that I have. I just need to know how to prove the value of a car to the embassy. Does anyone here know or have experience with this? Is bluebook the best way?

I already answered that question. Yes, use kbb.com and then provide a copy of the title, if fully owned.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Kelly blue book or the NADA book value of the vehicle. The vehicle with the lien is book value, minus what is still owed on the title lien.

The only way around a recent appraisal is if you bought your properties with in the last year and you have the appraisal in the closing paperwork, sorry.