6 Reasons to order an appraisal from Greater Houston Area AppraisalsThousands of people in Texas buy, sell or refinance their home every month. A lot of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there more cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful? You bet there are. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIf you live in an area where the value of property has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment. Getting rid of your PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the home buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, almost all lenders ask buyers to take out this added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Greater Houston Area Appraisals can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can generally be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals Order onlineDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who gets the home. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals, regardless of the situation. If the parties need to sell the home, they'll have a better 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 an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a hard 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 many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Move to or from Harris County for workWe are aware of the stress involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Sell your home quickly — 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 more informed decision regarding your asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report. We examine 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 homesstay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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. 
|