Why you should get an appraisal

Every year, thousands of people in North Carolina buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more prudent than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there additional times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy? Of course.


	For real estate appraisals in Cullowhee and Jackson County, it's easiest when your order online from Prestige Appraisal, just click here.

Let Prestige Appraisal help you dispute your tax assessment in Jackson County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Prestige Appraisal is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let Prestige Appraisal help you lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home, many lenders ask homeowners to take out an added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This extra payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is damaging because PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips 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 get rid of PMI, Prestige Appraisal can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who gets the home, and it can be a very heartbreaking experience for both parties. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Prestige Appraisal, regardless of the situation.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a a good idea of what price to set. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The loss of a loved one is a difficult 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, ensuring the maximum degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal.

Let Prestige Appraisal help you with relocating to or from Jackson County

Moving due to a job change is a real pain. We know where you're coming from. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive process.

Don't sell out short 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 choose 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 price the house sells for. Our fees depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what a suitable 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 homes are one the market.