Reasons to order an appraisal

To a lot of us, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the break-sheet for a home sale or refinance. Practically all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more cost-effective than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there additional times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? You bet.

Let A. M. Appraisals assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Dispute your tax assessment

If you are in an area where property values have depreciated, 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 challenging your tax assessment.

PMI removal to reduce your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that most lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Very often, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is bad because PMI isn't required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. 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 installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

A. M. Appraisals can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the appraisal can generally be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Divorce settlement with fewer hang-ups

A divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the house, and it can be a particularly traumatic ordeal for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from A. M. Appraisals, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties wish 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.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation

The death of a loved one is a hard 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. We ensure the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Relocate to or from Lexington County through an employee relocation program

Employee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive aspects of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection.

Close on your home promptly — at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items 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 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.

Let A. M. Appraisals help you sell your home quickly at the right price

Do you need some extra cash?

We can determine the value of your property so that the bank or mortgage company of your choice will know how much money to loan you. This is typically an essential step in the loan process.

Refinance