6 Reasons to choose an appraisal from All City AppraisalThousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home every year. Many of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might seem cheaper than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial. Appeal your tax assessment in Los Angeles CountyIt's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your home, so if values 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 challenging your tax assessment. Remove PMI to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the homeowneris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, nearly all lenders ask home owners to take out this extra insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is damaging because PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. All City Appraisal can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the appraisal can often be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from All City Appraisal Order todaySettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce can be a particularly horrible event for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from All City Appraisal so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a difficult 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 fullest degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Move to or from Los Angeles County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, getting 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. |