Why you should get an appraisal from C L Harper & AssociatesTo a lot of us, an appraisal is simply another fee in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Nearly all 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 cheaper than an appraisal. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy. 
Appeal 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 based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At C L Harper & Associates, we're equipped to assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that most lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Most often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder 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 passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to do away with PMI, C L Harper & Associates can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from C L Harper & Associates Order onlineDivorce settlement with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a particularly traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from C L Harper & Associates so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house. 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 gotten a fair evaluation. Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a painful 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. 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). Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven 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 received an honest deal. Move to or from Nueces County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. 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 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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