Reasons to hire an appraiserTo a lot of people, an appraisal just looks like another fee on the settlement sheet for a home purchase or refinance. Most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear less expensive than an appraisal. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are other times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At West Michigan Appraisal, we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the homebuyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, many lenders ask home buyers to buy this added insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This extra payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI isn't necessary 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 passed by the United States Congress 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, West Michigan Appraisal can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can generally be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from West Michigan Appraisal Order onlineGet a fair valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce is often complicated by the difficult decision of who maintains the home, and it can be an especially daunting ordeal for both parties. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from West Michigan Appraisal so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the situation. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a a good 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. Fair and accurate estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a hard 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 ensure the maximum 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 do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing the true worth 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 Manistee County through an employee relocation programWe are familiar with the stress associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — for the right 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 better educated decision when determining your selling 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. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted 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 properties are one the market. 
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