Let Astute Appraisals, Inc. handle your appraisal needsThousands of people in Maryland buy, sell or refinance their home every year. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear more practical than an appraisal. Is getting a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there also instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful? You bet there are. 
Contest your tax assessmentIf you are in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in appealing 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 home, many lenders ask home buyers to take out this additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this extra payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Astute Appraisals, Inc. will produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can often be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. Order todayGet a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce can be a particularly daunting experience for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the strenuous decision of who gets the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home. If the parties wish 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 received a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationLosing 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. 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). Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues, unlike wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal. Relocate to or from Howard County for workWe are aware of the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home promptly — for the right priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you decide 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 amount the house sells for. Our fees rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare 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. 
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