Reasons to get an appraisal

Thousands of people in Tennessee buy, sell or refinance their home each year. Many of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that might appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.

Order appraisals on this website by simply clicking here.

Challenge your tax assessment in Washington County

If you live in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Andrew Easton is your best evidence. At Andrew Easton, we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI will lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask homeowners to buy an supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI isn't necessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls 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 eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Andrew Easton can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can usually be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a very heartbreaking event for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the property. Regardless of the situation, it's prudent to order an appraisal from Andrew Easton so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home.

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 gotten a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The death 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 Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the utmost degree of discretion.

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, unlike wealthier individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Andrew Easton can help you with relocating to or from Washington County

Moving due to a job change can be a more than just an inconvenience, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our thorough process.

Selling your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Andrew Easton

Whether you want 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 regarding your asking 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 perform the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine 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 stay on the market.