Reasons to hire an appraiser

To a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like a line item on the break-sheet for a mortgage or refinance. And while there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more practical than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. But is securing a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there also instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Of course there are.

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Let Shelly's Appraisal Service help you dispute your tax assessment in Morgan County

If you reside 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 Shelly's Appraisal Service is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Let Shelly's Appraisal Service help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, almost all lenders ask home owners to purchase an additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Shelly's Appraisal Service can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can usually be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce can be a particularly daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who keeps the home. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Shelly's Appraisal Service, regardless of the situation.

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

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with help from Shelly's Appraisal ServiceSettling an estate

The death of 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 Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the fullest degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, knowing the certain value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Let Shelly's Appraisal Service help you with relocating to or from Morgan County

Moving due to a job change can be a more than just an inconvenience. We know where you're coming from! That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed process.

Sell your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Shelly's Appraisal Service

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide what improvements will add value and what an appropriate 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 homes stay on the market.