Why you should hire an appraiserEach year, thousands of people in Maryland buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation processes that might appear cheaper than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there more instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Of course there are. 
Appeal your tax assessment in Howard CountyIf you are in an area where the property value has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is damaging because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder 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 invoked by the United States Congress that requires lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to do away with PMI, Astute Appraisals, Inc. will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can usually be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc. today Order onlineSettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a very horrible event for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Astute Appraisals, Inc., regardless of the circumstances. The parties will have a good 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 gotten a fair evaluation. Fair and accurate estate liquidationLosing 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 real estate 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). Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Howard County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage 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. Sell your home quickly — for an accurate priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine 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 properties stay on the market. 
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