Let Elite Appraisal Services serve your appraisal needsEvery year, thousands of people in Texas buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more economical than an appraisal. Is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? You bet there are. ![]() Challenge your tax assessment in Brazoria CountyIt's probable 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 past assessment of your home, so if prices have declined in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that almost all lenders ask homebuyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Very often, this added payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Elite Appraisal Services can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the appraisal can often be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Elite Appraisal Services Order onlineDivorce settlement with fewer hang-upsA divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the property, and it can be a very traumatic event for both parties. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Elite Appraisal Services so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property. 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 assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Fair 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 matters, unlike wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Brazoria County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceWhether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homesstay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine 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. ![]() |