Every year, countless people in the U.S. choose to buy, sell, or refinance their slice of the American Dream. Most (if not all) of these transactions include an appraisal, as this process has become an understood and accepted part of real estate transactions. But is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other situations when the services of a professional appraiser would be beneficial? You bet.
PURCHASING A HOME
Making an informed offer requires accurate knowledge of the true worth of the property. A professional appraisal report can provide you with an objective, third party assessment of a property's current market value, as well as peace of mind in knowing you are offering a fair price.
SELLING A HOME
Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or enlist the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better-educated decision when determining a fair sale price. And because an appraiser has no vested interest in that amount, fees for appraisal services are based solely on efforts to complete the report. An appraisal is an unbiased opinion of market value.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO ADD VALUE
Before you decide to sell your home, there are several questions to ask yourself. First and foremost, how much should it sell for? Plus, what upgrades can be made to increase its value? Such changes may include painting the house, putting in an extra bathroom, or remodeling a room. Keep in mind, however, that some improvements do not increase the value enough to justify the expense.
REFINANCING/HOME EQUITY LOAN
If you need to consolidate bills, pay college tuition, or simply want to tap the equity of your home, you may need a new loan, which usually requires a new appraisal of the property.
DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
A divorce can be a traumatic experience and is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who is to retain the home. Regardless of the situation, it is a good idea to order an appraisal so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of the property. If the parties choose to sell the home, they will have a better idea of what price to set; and, in the event of an interest buyout, both parties will feel confident that they have received a fair assessment.
ESTATE LIQUIDATION/PLANNING
A probate, or settling an estate due to death, often requires an appraisal to establish fair market value for the residential property involved. Once the appraiser determines its true worth, equitable arrangements can be more easily arrived at among disputing parties. When planning financial matters of an estate, it is essential in most cases to have an accurate valuation of assets including all real estate assets.
RELOCATION
We understand the stress involved with employee relocation and take great care in scheduling a convenient time for the appraisal inspection. During this thorough process, we encourage relocating employees to provide input on positive attributes of their property and any information about recent sales or neighborhood listings that they wish to be considered.
PMI REMOVAL
Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is supplemental insurance that many lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the loan is more than 80% of the property value. Lenders are required by law to cease demand of PMI payments when the remaining balance of the loan dips below that percentage. Homeowners who believe they have met this condition can hire an appraiser to provide a statement regarding the property value and even help them file a challenge with the mortgage company.
