Why you should get an appraisal from Southern Appraisal, LLC

To many, an appraisal is simply a line item on the break-sheet for a home purchase or refinance. The majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there additional cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Absolutely.


	If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your property is a factor, you should contact Southern Appraisal, LLC. Just click here.

Let Southern Appraisal, LLC help you challenge your tax assessment in Jefferson County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your house, so if prices have gone down in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Southern Appraisal, LLC is your best evidence when building your case. At Southern Appraisal, LLC, we're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

Let Southern Appraisal, LLC assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that almost all lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Most often, this added payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is bad because PMI isn't required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Southern Appraisal, LLC will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the appraisal can generally be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be a very traumatic event for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Southern Appraisal, LLC, regardless of the circumstances.

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

Fair and accurate 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 Market Value for the residential property involved. We ensure 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 handle these matters. 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 received an honest deal.

Let Southern Appraisal, LLC assist you in relocating to or from Jefferson County

We understand the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we encourage employees that are moving to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Selling your home quickly at the right price

Whether 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 asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are derived from 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 things like an additional 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 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 properties stay on the market.