Reasons to hire an appraiserThousands of people in Florida purchase, sell or refinance their home each year. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may seem more practical than an appraisal, most lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might assume that securing a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are other situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial. 
Appeal your tax assessment in Okaloosa CountyIt's probable 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 values are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Appraisal House, Inc., we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that many lenders ask buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. More often than not, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is bad because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Appraisal House, Inc. can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost 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 Appraisal House, Inc. Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce can be a particularly daunting event for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Appraisal House, Inc. so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they need 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 evaluation. Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal. Relocate to or from Okaloosa County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home quickly — at an accurate 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 with the help of a real estate agent. Unlike 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 analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market. 
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