Reasons to order an appraisalTo a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like another fee on the break-sheet for a home sale or refinance. The majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation processes that might appear more prudent than an appraisal. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Absolutely. ![]() Dispute your tax assessmentIf you reside 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 DRB Appraisal, we're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Remove PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that many lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. This extra payment is often lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, 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 installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. DRB Appraisal will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can generally be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from DRB Appraisal Order todayDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is a particularly daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who gets the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from DRB Appraisal so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a a good 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 received a fair assessment. Ascertain an accurate and fair valuation for 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, ensuring the highest degree of discretion. Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal. Move to or from Blackford County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they are based on our efforts to finish the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesstay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide 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. ![]() |