Reasons to order an appraisalTo many, an appraisal just looks like another fee on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. And even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation systems that might appear to be more prudent than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. Is securing a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there also cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Absolutely. 
Challenge your tax assessment in Baltimore CountyIt's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your real estate, so if values are less than what they used to be in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Getting rid of your PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that almost all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is bad because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. 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. If you'd like to do away with PMI, will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from today Order onlineDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce can be an especially daunting experience for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who keeps the house. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from , regardless of the circumstances. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a a good idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion. Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these matters. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Baltimore County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — at the right priceA professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long homesare 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. 
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