Why you should get an appraisal from Schwab Appraisal LLCTo a lot of people, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the settlement sheet for a home purchase or refinance. Even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more cost-effective than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. Is getting a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there more instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Of course there are. ![]() Contest your tax assessment in Kootenai CountyIt's possible 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 past assessment of your home, so if values have declined in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Schwab Appraisal LLC, we're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance plan that many lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Seeing that extra payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Schwab Appraisal LLC will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can generally be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Schwab Appraisal LLC today Order todayGet a fair valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property, and it can be a very horrible experience for both parties. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Schwab Appraisal LLC so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the circumstances. 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 assessment. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationLosing 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 real estate involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs, unlike wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an unequal 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 gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Kootenai County for workWe understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for an accurate priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. We determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, getting 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. ![]() |