Let Barnstable/Plymouth Appraisal Services attend to your appraisal needsEvery year, thousands of people in Massachusetts buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear cheaper than an appraisal, most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful? You bet there are. ![]() Appeal your tax assessmentIf you are in an area where the property value has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Barnstable/Plymouth Appraisal Services is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that almost all lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. This additional payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Barnstable/Plymouth Appraisal Services will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can generally be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Barnstable/Plymouth Appraisal Services Order todaySettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who gets the house. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Barnstable/Plymouth Appraisal Services so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Ascertain an accurate and fair 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 requires 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, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an uneven 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 walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from County through an employee relocation programWe are familiar with the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home quickly — at the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses are one the market. ![]() |