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6 Reasons to order an appraisal from Anderson & Associates

Thousands of people in Washington purchase, sell or refinance their home each month. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that might seem less expensive than an appraisal. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are other instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy.

Let Anderson & Associates help you lower your mortgage payment

Contest your tax assessment

It's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal 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 payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Anderson & Associates can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can often be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Order your appraisal from Anderson & Associates today

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Get a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressful

A divorce is an especially traumatic ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Anderson & Associates so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation.

If the parties need 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 received a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The death of a loved one is a painful 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. We guarantee the utmost 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 take care of these issues, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Relocate to or from Clark County for work

We are aware of the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Close on your home promptly — for the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you decide 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 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 housesstay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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.

Let Anderson & Associates help you sell your home quickly at the right price