Reasons to hire an appraiserTo a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like one more thing on the break-sheet for a home purchase or refinance. While there are a developing number of automated home valuation processes that might seem more cost-effective than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? Of course there are. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIf you reside in an area where the property value has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Appraisals by Deb Lewellen, Inc., we're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the home owneris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, almost all lenders ask homeowners to take out this additional insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is damaging because PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Appraisals by Deb Lewellen, Inc. will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can often be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Appraisals by Deb Lewellen, Inc. Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is often complicated by the troublesome decision of who gets the property, and it can be an especially traumatic event for both parties. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Appraisals by Deb Lewellen, Inc., regardless of the situation. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a difficult 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. We guarantee the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Move to or from Tippecanoe County for workWe are familiar with the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home quickly — for the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We examine the difference in value items 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 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, because we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. 
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