Why you should get an appraisal from The Appraisal FirmTo a lot of us, an appraisal is simply another fee in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that may appear to be more prudent than an appraisal. Is getting a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there also instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Of course. ![]() Appeal your tax assessment in San Diego CountyIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from The Appraisal Firm is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This extra payment is often lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. The Appraisal Firm will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the home valuation can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from The Appraisal Firm Order onlineSettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a particularly horrible experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from The Appraisal Firm so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances. The parties will have a good idea of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Move to or from San Diego County for workWe are aware of the stress associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home quickly — at the right priceA professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide what improvements will add value and what a suitable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time. ![]() |