REASONS TO GET AN APPRAISAL
In trying to determine the value of a property, a licensed appraiser is supposed to be the most qualified person. An appraiser is supposed to be an advocate for the property, not for the interest of a person. Has credibility in the "eyes" of lenders and the courts. The courts and lenders typically recognize that appraisers have education and experience that qualify them to evaluate property from an unbiased point of view.

One of the more difficult areas of determining value is in the area of “Contribution”. The contributive value of an item to the overall value of the property is not what an item costs but what does it add to the overall value of the property. A frequently used example is a swimming pool. It may cost $40,000 to add a swimming pool, but it may only contribute $20,000 to the overall value of the property. 
    Thus, in choosing an appraiser, it is most important to select an appraiser with significant experience and proven expertise.

Is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other times when the services of a certified, licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? YES.

PRE SELLING (LISTING) A HOME
Whether you choose 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 amount the house sells for. A professional appraisal can often help a homeowner make the best decisions on listing their homes and setting a fair sales price.

Are you looking to sell your home? click here for more information.

PRE PURCHASE OF A HOME
One of the most important issues involved in purchasing a property is developing an opinion of what it's worth so that you can make an informed offer to purchase. A professional appraisal report performed by a qualified, state-licensed appraiser can provide you with an objective, third party opinion of a property's current Market Value. And for the small price of this service, you can give yourself "peace of mind" prior to making an offer to purchase that you're offering a fair price for the property.

REFINANCE OR GET A HOME EQUITY LOAN
If you need to consolidate bills, have a college tuition to pay, or just want to tap into the equity of your home, you'll need a new loan, which oftentimes requires a new appraisal of the property.

TAX APPEAL
Tax assessments are frequently thought to be high. Homeowners sometimes make a personal appeal for a reduction in their tax assessment. Typically, assessors are only modestly moved to reduce an assessment. However, when presented with an official appraisal the assessor knows that this document can be presented in court which makes the assessor much more receptive to considering a realistic assessment.
Tax assessments are established as of May 1st. Therefore, appraisals should be completed significantly prior to May 1st in order to get an appointment with the assessor prior to the May 1st deadline. Requests for tax assessment reduction can be made anytime. It does not have to be on the official “Grievance Day.”

Are you paying too much in taxes? click here for more information.

PMI REMOVAL
Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is the supplemental insurance that is required when the amount being loaned is more than 80% of the value of the home. Very often, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal paydown - dips below this 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

I offer a specific service for you, the home owner, if you believe you have reached below 80% loan-to-value. I, the appraiser, can provide you with an official appraisal regarding the value of your home which can be submitted to your lender to eliminate the PMI charge . Typically PMI is 1/2 of 1% of the loan amount. If eliminated this could be a huge savings to you.

Would you like your PMI removed? click here for more information.

DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
A divorce can be a particularly traumatic experience for both parties and is often further complicated by the difficult decision of "Who gets the house?". In most divorce cases, the Court won't usually force the parties involved to "buyout" the other party's interest but it may however order the sale of the home so each party gets an equal share of the equity. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal so both parties are fully aware of what the true market value is.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And on the flipside, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a responsible settlement.

ESTATE SETTLEMENT
The loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires 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, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.

Unlike many wealthy individuals, the majority of Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. Also, in most cases, a home or other real property makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value.

At this point, equitable arrangements can more easily be arrived at among parties to the estate.  Everyone walks away knowing they've received a responsible deal.

RELOCATION
We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO ADD VALUE
Before you decide to sell your home, there are several decisions to be made. First and foremost: "How much should it sell for?" But don't forget there may be other equally important questions to ask yourself such as "Would it be better to paint the entire house before we sell it?", "Should I put in that third bathroom?", "Should I complete my kitchen remodel?" Many things which we do to our houses have an effect on their value. Unfortunately, not all of them have an equal effect. While a kitchen remodel may improve the appeal of a home, it may not add nearly enough to the value to justify the expense.