Reasons to get an appraisalThousands of people in Louisiana buy, sell or refinance their home each month. A lot of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal, practically all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful. 
Appeal your tax assessmentIf you reside in an area where the property value has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Lake Area Appraisal Firm is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that many lenders ask homeowners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI is no longer required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls 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. If you'd like to do away with PMI, Lake Area Appraisal Firm will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Lake Area Appraisal Firm Order onlineSettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce can be a particularly horrible event for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the difficult decision of who maintains the home. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Lake Area Appraisal Firm so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances. If the parties need to sell the home, they'll have a better 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 received a fair assessment. Ascertain a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. We guarantee the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle 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 walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Move to or from Calcasieu County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Close on your home quickly — for an accurate priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed 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 depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesstay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable 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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