6 Reasons to choose an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388To a lot of people, an appraisal is simply a line item on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. Almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be less expensive than an appraisal. You might believe that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful. Contest your tax assessment in Montgomery CountyIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices 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 challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Since the added payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can often be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 Order todayDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is a particularly daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the property. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they wish to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment. Ascertain an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationThe 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 Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the maximum 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 take care of these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Montgomery County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining 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 rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. We examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homesstay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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. |