Reasons to order an appraisal from Kneeland & Associates

To many, an appraisal just looks like another fee in the long list of items for a home purchase or refinance. Most lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that might seem more cost-effective than an appraisal. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Appeal your tax assessment in Tulare County

If you live in an area where the value of property has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Kneeland & Associates is your best evidence when building your case. At Kneeland & Associates, we're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

How can you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Oftentimes, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Kneeland & Associates can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the house, and it can be an especially heartbreaking occurrence for both parties. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Kneeland & Associates so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a better idea 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 assessment.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Market Value for the real estate 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 wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal.

Relocating to or from Tulare County?

We are familiar with the stress involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed process.

Don't sell out for too little or let your home stay on the market too long.

A professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. 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 perform the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

We examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homes are on the market. So, seeking 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.