Reasons to Get an Appraisal

Purchasing a Home

Before making an offer, an objective, third-party opinion of a property's current market value gives you real peace of mind that you're offering a fair price — for a small fraction of what you're about to spend on the home itself.

Refinancing or a Home Equity Loan

Consolidating debt, covering tuition, or tapping into your home's equity all typically require a new appraisal to support the new loan.

Removing PMI

Private Mortgage Insurance is often required when a loan exceeds 80% of a home's value — and it's just as often forgotten once it's folded into a monthly payment. Under the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, lenders are required to remove PMI once your loan-to-value ratio meets the threshold. Richard provides a straightforward value statement homeowners can use to make that case to their mortgage company — a cost that's typically recovered in just a few months of no longer paying PMI.

Divorce Settlement

When "who gets the house" is on the table, an independent appraisal gives both parties a fair, agreed-upon starting point — whether the home is being sold or one party is buying out the other's share.

See our full Divorce Appraisal page for more detail.

Estate Settlement

Settling an estate after the loss of a loved one almost always requires establishing fair market value for any real property involved. USPAP's confidentiality provisions mean Richard handles every estate appraisal with full discretion.

See our full Date of Death Appraisal page for more detail.

Relocation

Moving for a new job is stressful enough without a difficult appraisal experience. Richard works around your schedule for the inspection, and welcomes your input on the property's strengths and any recent comparable sales or listings you'd like considered.

Home Improvements & Selling a Home

Before you sell, there's more to figure out than just an asking price — should you repaint before listing? Finish that kitchen remodel? Not every improvement adds enough value to justify its cost, and an appraiser has no vested interest in your final sale price the way a listing agent might, since Richard's fee is based on the work involved, not a percentage of what your home sells for.

See our full Pre-Listing Appraisal page for more detail.