Reasons to hire an appraiserEvery year, thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Practically all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be cheaper than an appraisal. Is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there also cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Absolutely. 
Contest your tax assessment in Contra Costa CountyIf you are in an area where the property value has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Sunset Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. At Sunset Appraisals, we're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that nearly 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 home. Seeing that additional payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is damaging because PMI becomes unnecessary when the leftover 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 implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Sunset Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the home valuation can generally be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Sunset Appraisals Order onlineGet a fair valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is an especially horrible ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the troublesome decision of who maintains the property. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Sunset Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And on the flip side, 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 difficult 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. We ensure the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. And seeing that 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 essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Move to or from Contra Costa County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough inspection. Sell your home promptly — at the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount 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 determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homesare on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine 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. 
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