Reasons to order an appraisalTo many, an appraisal just looks like a line item in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more prudent than an appraisal. You might think that getting a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that most lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Seeing that extra payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Southeastern Valuation, LLC can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can usually be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Southeastern Valuation, LLC Order onlineDivorce settlement with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a particularly daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who gets the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Southeastern Valuation, LLC, regardless of the situation. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they wish to sell the home. And 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 painful 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 guarantee the maximum 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 affairs, unlike wealthier individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, knowing 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. Move to or from Jefferson, Shelby, Calhoun, Saint Clair, Etowah, Blount or Talladega County for workWe are aware of the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — for the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses are one the market. 
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