Why you should hire an appraiser

To a lot of us, an appraisal is simply a line item on the settlement sheet for a mortgage or refinance. Practically all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more cost-effective than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Of course there are.


	When you're planning on any transaction where the likely sales price of your property is a factor, just contact Robert J Guiheen. Just click here

Let Robert J Guiheen help you challenge your tax assessment in Litchfield County

If you reside in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Robert J Guiheen is your best evidence. At Robert J Guiheen,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, almost all lenders ask homebuyers to buy an supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Most often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Robert J Guiheen can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a particularly traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who gets the house. Regardless of the situation, it's prudent to get an appraisal from Robert J Guiheen so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair evaluation.

Trustworthy estate liquidation

Losing a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Market Value for the real estate 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 take care of these issues. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the correct value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Let Robert J Guiheen help you with relocating to or from Litchfield County

We are aware of the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we suggest relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what a suitable 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.