Why you should hire an appraiserTo a lot of people, an appraisal just looks like a line item in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. Almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that might appear to be more practical than an appraisal. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy. 
Contest your tax assessment in Montgomery CountyIf you reside in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 is your best evidence when building your case. We're qualified to assist you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, nearly all lenders ask buyers to buy this supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. More often than not, this added payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can usually be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 Order todayGet a clear valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is often complicated by the burdensome decision of who gets the house, and it can be a particularly horrible experience for both parties. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the situation. If the parties want 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 gotten a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. We ensure the utmost degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth 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 Montgomery County for workWe are familiar with the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes 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 priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. 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. We determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what a suitable 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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