Why you should hire an appraiserTo a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like a line item in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. And while there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear to be more practical than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think 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 likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your house, so if prices 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 can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that almost all lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This additional payment is often lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can generally be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals today Order todayGet a fair valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce is a particularly horrible ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals, regardless of the situation. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment. Ascertain an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationThe death of 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 Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. We guarantee the highest 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 take care of these matters. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate 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 leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Clackamas County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home quickly — at the right priceWhether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report. We determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. 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. 
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