Reasons to get an appraisalTo a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like one more thing in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. While there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that might seem cheaper than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial. 
Challenge your tax assessment in Baltimore CountyIf you are in an area where the property value has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Seeing that added payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. will produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can often be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Order onlineGet a clear valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is an especially traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment. Fair and accurate estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. We ensure the highest 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 handle these affairs. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Move to or from Baltimore County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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. 
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