Reasons to order an appraisal from Southmost Realty, Appraisals, & Court Expert WitnessEvery year, thousands of people in Texas purchase, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that might seem more prudent than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful. Contest your tax assessment in Cameron CountyIf you live in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Southmost Realty, Appraisals, & Court Expert Witness is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment. Remove PMI to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask home owners to buy this supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Southmost Realty, Appraisals, & Court Expert Witness will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the home valuation can usually be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Southmost Realty, Appraisals, & Court Expert Witness Order todaySettle a divorce with less stressA divorce can be an especially daunting experience for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the property. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Southmost Realty, Appraisals, & Court Expert Witness, regardless of the circumstances. 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 gotten a fair evaluation. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the fullest 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 wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal. Move to or from Cameron County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — for an accurate priceA professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining 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, apart from real estate agents. 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 things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Seeking 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 stay on the market. |