Reasons to order an appraisalTo many, an appraisal is simply a line item in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. Even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be beneficial. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIf you live in an area where the property value 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 can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the home owneris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, almost all lenders ask homebuyers to take out this supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This added payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI is no longer required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Greater Houston Area Appraisals will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals today Order todaySettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the home, and it can be an especially traumatic experience for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Greater Houston Area Appraisals, regardless of the situation. 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 evaluation. Fair and accurate estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a painful 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so 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. Relocate to or from Harris County for workWe are aware of the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Sell your home promptly — at the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will 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, unlike real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesstay on the market. So, obtaining 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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