Reasons to get an appraisalTo a lot of people, an appraisal just looks like a line item in the long list of items for a home purchase or refinance. The majority of lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem more economical than an appraisal. You might think that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your home, so if prices have gone down in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from is your best evidence when building your case. At , we're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that most lenders ask homeowners to buy when the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Very often, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress 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, can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can generally be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is a very daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the property. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances. The parties will have a clearer picture 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 received a fair evaluation. Fair and accurate estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for 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 fullest degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Fairfax City County through an employee relocation programWe are aware of the headaches associated with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for the right priceA professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We examine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses are one the market. 
|