Reasons to hire an appraiser

Thousands of people in Texas purchase, sell or refinance their home each year. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may seem less expensive than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful.

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Dispute your tax assessment

If you are 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. At Appraisal Professionals, we're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI for mortgage payments

When the amount being loaned to the buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask home owners to take out this additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This additional payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Appraisal Professionals can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Get a clear valuation on a home for divorce settlements

A divorce can be an especially daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the strenuous decision of who keeps the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Appraisal Professionals so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home.

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 gotten a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The death 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 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 many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. And since a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, 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 Hays County for work

We know the stress associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home promptly — at an accurate price

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market.

Let Appraisal Professionals assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price