6 Reasons to consider an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388To a lot of us, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the settlement sheet for a mortgage or refinance. While there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation systems that might appear more cost-effective than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are very high. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there also cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful? You bet there are. 
Dispute your tax assessment in Montgomery CountyIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Getting rid of your PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance plan that most lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can usually be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the house, and it can be a particularly daunting experience for both parties. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Hixon & Associates, LLC (334) 215-0388 so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the circumstances. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for 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, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. And since a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Move to or from Montgomery County for workWe understand the headaches involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help 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 are based on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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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