Reasons to get an appraisal

Year after year, thousands of people in Tennessee buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more economical than an appraisal. You might believe that obtaining 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 might be beneficial.

If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your home is a factor, you should contact Keystone Appraisal Co.. Just click here.

Let Keystone Appraisal Co. help you dispute your tax assessment in Shelby County

If you reside in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Keystone Appraisal Co. is your best evidence. At Keystone Appraisal Co.,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Most often, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is bad because PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Keystone Appraisal Co. can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can usually be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a particularly heartbreaking event for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Keystone Appraisal Co. so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a a good idea 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 evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires 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 fullest degree of discretion.

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs, unlike many wealthy 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 essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Let Keystone Appraisal Co. help you with relocating to or from Shelby County

Moving due to a job change is a real pain, and we understand. That's why we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long properties are on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted 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.