Why you should order an appraisalTo many, an appraisal is simply a line item on the break-sheet for a mortgage or refinance. Even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear less expensive than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy? Of course there are. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if values have gone down in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, most lenders ask home owners to buy this extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. More often than not, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, ASAP Appraisal Group can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from ASAP Appraisal Group Order onlineDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce can be an especially traumatic ordeal for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from ASAP Appraisal Group so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a a good idea of what price to set. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment. Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the utmost degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal. Move to or from Polk County for workWe know the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report. We analyze 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 housesstay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what an applicable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time. 
|