Let Astute Appraisals, Inc. attend to your appraisal needsTo a lot of us, an appraisal is simply one more thing in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Practically all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that might seem more cost-effective than an appraisal. Is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? Absolutely. 
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. At Astute Appraisals, Inc., we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment. Removing PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the homebuyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, almost all lenders ask buyers to buy this extra insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI isn't necessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Astute Appraisals, Inc. will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can generally be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. Order onlineDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce can be a particularly traumatic experience for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the property. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc., regardless of the circumstances. If the parties want 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 gotten a fair assessment. Fair and accurate 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 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. Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues, unlike wealthier individuals. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Howard County for workWe are familiar with the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That's why 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, along with information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Sell your home promptly — for the right priceWhether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. We determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining 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, because we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. 
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