Why you should get an appraisal from Howell Appraisal, Inc.Thousands of people in Virginia buy, sell or refinance their home every month. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear more economical than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that most lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Most often, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is damaging because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Howell Appraisal, Inc. will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Howell Appraisal, Inc. Order onlineGet a fair valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is a very horrible event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the hard decision of who maintains the house. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Howell Appraisal, Inc. so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment. Ascertain a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a hard 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 maximum degree of discretion. Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from Spotsylvania County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for the right priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding 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 amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. We determine the difference in value items like an additional 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. 
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