Let A.M. Appraisal handle your appraisal needs

Thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home each month. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear more practical than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy.

Let A.M. Appraisal assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Dispute your tax assessment

It's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a previous 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. An appraisal from A.M. Appraisal is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower a mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that many lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home owner 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 quickly forgotten. This is bad because PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

A.M. Appraisal can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the appraisal can generally be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Divorce settlement with fewer hang-ups

A divorce can be a very traumatic experience for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the home. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from A.M. Appraisal, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair evaluation.

Ascertain a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidation

The death of a loved one is a difficult 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. We guarantee the utmost 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 an uneven share of the total estate value, so understanding 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.

Move to or from Orange County through an employee relocation program

We are aware of the headaches involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Close on your home quickly — at an accurate price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help 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 aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesstay on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted 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.

Let A.M. Appraisal help you sell your home quickly at the right price