Reasons to hire an appraiserTo many, an appraisal is simply a line item in the long list of items for a home purchase or refinance. The majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that might seem less expensive than an appraisal. You might believe that securing 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 helpful. 
Contest your tax assessment in Barren CountyIf you are in an area where the value of property has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Graham Appraisal is your best evidence when building your case. At Graham Appraisal, we're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that most lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Since the extra payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is damaging because PMI is no longer required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Graham Appraisal can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the appraisal can usually be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Graham Appraisal Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is a very daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who keeps the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Graham Appraisal so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Accurate and fair estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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 fullest degree of discretion. Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from Barren County through an employee relocation programWe are familiar with the stress involved with an employee relocation. That being said, 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 attributes of their property, as well as information about any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Close on your home quickly — for the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. Apart from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. We examine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesstay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine what improvements will add value and what an appropriate sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time. 
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