Why you should get an appraisalTo many, an appraisal just looks like a line item in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. Most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that may seem cheaper than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there other situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? You bet there are. 
Appeal your tax assessmentIf you are in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Preferred Appraisers, Inc. is your best evidence when building your case. We're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Remove PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that many lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This added payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips 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 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, Preferred Appraisers, Inc. can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can usually be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Preferred Appraisers, Inc. Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is a very daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who maintains the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Preferred Appraisers, Inc. so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances. If the parties wish 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 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 requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the highest degree of discretion. Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Gloucester County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home quickly — for an accurate priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable 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. 
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