6 Reasons to choose an appraisal from Spencer Appraisal Services, Inc.Every year, thousands of people in Pennsylvania buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation processes that might appear to be more economical than an appraisal. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Of course there are. ![]() Dispute your tax assessment in Montgomery CountyIf you reside in an area where the value of property 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 Spencer Appraisal Services, Inc., we're equipped to assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Getting rid of your PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the home buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, most lenders ask homebuyers to buy this supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Spencer Appraisal Services, Inc. can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and 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 Spencer Appraisal Services, Inc. Order todayDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who gets the property. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Spencer Appraisal Services, Inc. so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house. 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. 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the utmost degree of discretion. Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these affairs, 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 walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from Montgomery County through an employee relocation programWe are familiar with the stress involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — for an accurate 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 selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated 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 housesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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. ![]() |