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Why you should hire an appraiser

Each year, thousands of people in California purchase, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more economical than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. But is obtaining a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there other instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? You bet there are.

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Let JS Appraisal help you appeal your tax assessment in San Mateo County

If you live in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from JS Appraisal is your best evidence. At JS Appraisal, we're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI will lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance plan that most lenders ask home buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Oftentimes, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining 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 eliminate the PMI payments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, JS Appraisal will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can generally be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the troublesome decision of who maintains the house, and it can be an especially heartbreaking occurrence for both parties. Regardless of the circumstances, it's prudent to order an appraisal from JS Appraisal so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home.

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 gotten a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

Losing 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 Market Value for the residential property involved. We guarantee the maximum degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike wealthier individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Let JS Appraisal assist you in relocating to or from San Mateo County

We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed process.

Don't sell out short or let your home stay on the market too long.

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance 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 are derived from our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting 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 homes stay on the market.