6 Reasons to choose an appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals

Thousands of people in Texas buy, sell or refinance their home every year. A lot of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear more economical than an appraisal. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful.

Let Greater Houston Area Appraisals assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Challenge your tax assessment in Harris County

If you are in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. At Greater Houston Area Appraisals, we're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to reduce your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, nearly all lenders ask homeowners to purchase this extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This additional payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Greater Houston Area Appraisals will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can usually be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Order an appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals

Order online

Settle a divorce with fewer hang-ups

A divorce can be a very traumatic ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair evaluation.

Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidation

The 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 maximum 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 do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Move to or from Harris County for work

We are aware of the stress involved with an employee relocation. That being said, 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 characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed inspection.

Sell your home quickly — for the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report.

We determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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.

Let Greater Houston Area Appraisals assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price