Reasons to get an appraisalEach year, thousands of people in California purchase, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that might seem more prudent than an appraisal. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are other situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful. 
Challenge your tax assessmentIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your home, so if values have gone down in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At JLF Appraisals, we're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the home buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, almost all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase this supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Most often, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. 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, JLF Appraisals can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can generally be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from JLF Appraisals today Order todayDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is an especially horrible experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who keeps the property. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from JLF Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture 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 hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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 fullest degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. And seeing that 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 essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from Fresno County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home quickly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you decide 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 price the house sells for. Our fees depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We analyze the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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 are one the market. 
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