Reasons to consider an appraisal from Accredited AppraisalsEach year, thousands of people in Illinois buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Practically all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more prudent than an appraisal. You might assume that securing a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are additional times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial. ![]() Contest your tax assessment in Cook CountyIf you reside in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Accredited Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the home owneris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, most lenders ask homeowners to purchase this supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Most often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Accredited Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Accredited Appraisals Order todaySettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is an especially traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the home. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Accredited Appraisals so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Accurate and fair 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 utmost degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal. Move to or from Cook County for workEmployee relocation is 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 detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — at the right priceA professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling 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 are based on 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 additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide what improvements will add value and what an applicable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time. ![]() |