Reasons to consider an appraisal from The August Group Inc.To many, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the break-sheet for a home sale or refinance. While there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation systems that might appear to be more prudent than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there also instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy? Of course there are. 
Challenge your tax assessmentIt's quite 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 prices have gone down in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from The August Group Inc. is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment. Get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance plan that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This additional payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary 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 United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, The August Group Inc. will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from The August Group Inc. Order todayGet a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce can be a very daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who gets the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from The August Group Inc. so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a a good idea of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Fair and accurate estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a painful 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the utmost degree of discretion. Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Move to or from Saint Louis County through an employee relocation programWe understand the stress associated with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — at 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 more informed decision regarding your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long homesare on the market. So, 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. 
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