In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Both tasks are common in the real estate world but each one is used for a different purpose. Estimates are more general calculations made when more exact calculations are not necessary. Estimates are often prepared for the purpose of putting a home on the sales market. Estimates can be made by anyone and are often made by real estate agents themselves. On the other hand, appraisals are more exact calculations of value and take into account a number of scientific factors. Appraisals are often required for tax and loan purposes (e.g., to figure out the tax liability of a home owner or to figure out what type of mortgage someone will need). Appraisals cannot be conducted by anyone and must be completed by trained individuals. Always make sure a property appraiser is licensed or certified by the state to perform real estate appraisals. While state licensing and/or certification isn't always an indication of quality, it ensures that an individual has met certain standards and is authorized to perform property appraisals. Some states do not require licensing to perform real estate appraisals. At the state level, there are two types of property appraisal licenses: the State-Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser would be the minimum license to consider. If it's a typical residential property you want appraised, you will want a State-Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, as a minimum qualification. Don't be afraid to ask an appraiser for a copy of his or her license. Once you get a copy of the license, it's a good idea to check with the government agency which issued the document to ensure the license is active and in good standing. Furthermore, you can view the U.S. National Registry at http://www.asc.gov and verify whether the appraiser is registered and eligible to perform appraisals. Many excellent real estate appraisers carry a professional designation. The most widely known industry designations are the Senior Real Property Appraiser (SRPA), Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) and the Member Appraisal Institute (MAI). These designations are issued by the Appraisal Institute, and demonstrate an appraiser's commitment to continuing education and ethical standards. Ask what their experience is working on the property and neighborhood you are looking to get appraised. Appraisers who do a lot of their work or live in a particular area often have a deep knowledge of property values in that area. Additionally, they are more likely to know how "neighborhood variables" such as school districts and fire departments affect the property values in the area. Although years of experience does not necessarily indicate quality, there are certain benchmarks quality appraisers will have met. It usually takes about five years to get a good working knowledge and competency. If you find an appraiser in the yellow pages, you might not have much information about them. It can be useful to crowd source people in the industry. Ask a lender, real estate agent, attorney, or accountant for an appraiser they have used in the past. You'll still need to inquire further into their qualifications, but finding someone who has experience with the appraiser is a good start. You can also use the internet to find information about an appraiser's credentials, customer experiences, and history of complaints. For example, in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers has a search function on their website. Using the search function, you can find information about any licensed appraiser in the state.
Summary: Determine whether you need an appraisal or estimate. Make sure they are licensed or certified. Ask about their professional designations or memberships. Inquire about their experience. Ask around for references.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: The best way to prove to someone that you are not lying is to offer the person evidence that directly contradicts the claim. If you can think of any way to demonstrate your truthfulness, do so by backing up your statements with credible proof. However, in some cases, it may be impossible to show evidence that you're not lying. For example, you can show evidence by producing paperwork, such as time-stamps or receipts. If your girlfriend accuses you of being out with someone else on Tuesday night, it can prove your innocence by showing a time-stamp that you were using a computer in the college library until 3am. Social proof is the concept of using others' opinions or beliefs to influence a person's decisions or behaviors. If there isn't any physical evidence, you may be able to convince the person by employing someone (or several people) who can testify to your innocence. For example, if your mom feels certain that you were not at a friend's house, but had snuck out to a party, you can back up your story by asking your friend's parents to testify on your behalf. If two adults--and seemingly trustworthy people--say that you were definitely at their house, your mom is more likely to believe you. A method often employed by law enforcement is the process of making a suspect repeat a chain of events in reverse to see if this version of a story will be consistent with the original version. Tell the person to ask you about what happened by starting at the end. If you are lying, you are more likely to screw it up or show inconsistencies by telling the story backwards. Explain to the person who is accusing you of being a liar: "I wouldn't lie to you, I promise." Hopefully, if the person has any faith in you, or you haven't already damaged the trust previously, she will believe that you are being honest. If you have a particularly spotless history with this person, you could add to the promise by offering them examples of ways you have been honest and trustworthy in the past. For example, you might say "I have never lied to you. Remember, that time when everyone else wasn't being straightforward with you, and I did?" Be careful with this method, though, because some people will think you are manipulating them by making a false promise. Research shows that liars often talk in more complex sentences than people who are telling the truth. Even if you are telling the truth, speaking in complex sentences can make it seem like you are covering something up or being evasive. Strive for clear, simple, and concrete sentences with a moderate level of detail. You might tell your girlfriend, "No, I was not with anyone last night. I was at the computer lab on campus. I can show you my time-stamp." rather than "Oh, what are you talking about? I would never do anything like that to you. I love you so much. Who could I have been with? Why don't you trust me?" All the extra questions and miscellaneous information sheds doubt on your honesty. Another science-tested characteristic of liars is the tendency to repeat a questions before providing an answer. Avoid this at all costs. If you didn't clearly hear a question ask the person to repeat it himself. Repeating it from your own mouth makes it seem like you are delaying your response so you can think up an answer. An example of this happening in action could be demonstrated in this way: Your partner asks "Where were you last night?" If you say "Where was I last night?", pause, and then add "I was in the computer lab doing work," this seems less than honest because of the need to hesitate before providing your answer.
Summary:
Provide evidence of what happened. Use social proof. Repeat the chain of events in reverse order. Make a promise. Keep your words simple. Avoid repeating questions before answering them.