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Reasons to get an appraisal

Every year, thousands of people in Florida buy, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem more practical than an appraisal. You might believe that securing a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are other instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial.

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Dispute your tax assessment in Okaloosa County

If you reside in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower a mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowneris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, many lenders ask home owners to take out this added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is damaging because PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Appraisal House, Inc. will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can generally be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Settle a divorce with fewer hang-ups

A divorce is an especially horrible ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the troublesome decision of who gets the house. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Appraisal House, Inc., regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better idea 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 received a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The 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 real estate involved. We guarantee the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Move to or from Okaloosa County for work

We are familiar with the headaches associated with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Close on your home promptly — for the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees rest on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

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, seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide 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.

Let Appraisal House, Inc. help you sell your home quickly at the right price