6 Reasons to order an appraisal from The August Group Inc.To a lot of us, an appraisal is simply another fee on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. Most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that may seem more practical than an appraisal. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are other instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy. 
Challenge your tax assessmentIt's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your house, so if values 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. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the homeowneris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, many lenders ask home buyers to buy this extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to do away with PMI, The August Group Inc. will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can generally be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from The August Group Inc. Order onlineDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce can be an especially daunting experience for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who gets the property. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from The August Group Inc., 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 received a fair evaluation. Ascertain a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the highest 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. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal. Move to or from Saint Louis County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home quickly — for an accurate priceWhether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can 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 are based on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, 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. 
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