Why you should hire an appraiserEvery year, thousands of people in Wisconsin buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more cost-effective than an appraisal. You might believe that obtaining a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful. ![]() Dispute your tax assessmentIt's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your real estate, 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 KEY INSIGHT is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Removing PMI for mortgage paymentsWhen the amount being loaned to the homeowneris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, nearly all lenders ask homeowners to purchase this supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. KEY INSIGHT 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 a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from KEY INSIGHT today Order todaySettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is often complicated by the difficult decision of who gets the property, and it can be an especially traumatic event for both parties. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from KEY INSIGHT so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property. If the parties wish 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 evaluation. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe 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 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 wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal. Move to or from Oneida County through an employee relocation programWe understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Sell your home promptly — at an accurate priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting 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, because we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market. ![]() |