Why you should order an appraisal

To a lot of us, an appraisal is simply another cost in the long list of items for a home purchase or refinance. Nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear more practical than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful? Of course there are.


	If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your house is a factor, just contact Custom Appraisals. Just click here.

Let Custom Appraisals help you dispute your tax assessment in Montgomery County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a past assessment of your home, so if values are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Custom Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

PMI removal will lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance policy that almost all lenders ask home buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This additional payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is damaging because PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Custom Appraisals will produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the home valuation can usually be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the property. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Custom Appraisals, 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 evaluation.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The loss of 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 Market Value for the residential property involved. We ensure 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 don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, 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 value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal.

Custom Appraisals can help you with relocating to or from Montgomery County

Employee relocation can be a more than just an inconvenience. We know where you're coming from. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed process.

Let Custom Appraisals assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. The price we charge isn't contingent upon the value we report, but rather they are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long properties are on the market. So, 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 for an extended amount of time.