Reasons to order an appraisal from Cook's Appraisal Service

To many, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the settlement sheet for a mortgage or refinance. While there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem cheaper than an appraisal, most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.


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Dispute your tax assessment in Montgomery County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your house, so if prices have declined in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Cook's Appraisal Service is your best evidence. At Cook's Appraisal Service,we can assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

Let Cook's Appraisal Service assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home, most lenders ask home owners to purchase an supplemental insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is damaging because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Cook's Appraisal Service will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can often be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the property. Regardless of the circumstances, it's prudent to order an appraisal from Cook's Appraisal Service so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house.

The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they want 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 assessment.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation with help from Cook's Appraisal ServiceSettling an estate

Losing a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires 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, guaranteeing the utmost degree of discretion.

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Cook's Appraisal Service can assist you in relocating to or from Montgomery County

Employee relocation is a more than just an inconvenienceWe know where you're coming from! We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Let Cook's Appraisal Service assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting 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 - because we're experts in knowing how long properties are one the market.