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Why you should get an appraisal from Collins Appraisal

Thousands of people in Virginia purchase, sell or refinance their home every month. A lot of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more practical than an appraisal. You might believe that securing a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful.

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Let Collins Appraisal help you dispute your tax assessment in Virginia Beach City County

It's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your real estate, so if prices have gone down in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Collins Appraisal is your best evidence. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

Collins Appraisal can help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, nearly all lenders ask home owners to buy an added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls 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 do away with the PMI installments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Collins Appraisal can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can generally be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the burdensome decision of who keeps the house, and it can be a particularly heartbreaking ordeal for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Collins Appraisal, regardless of the situation.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation with help from Collins Appraisal Settling an estate

The 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 Market Value for the real estate involved. We ensure the utmost 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 do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Relocating to or from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth or Norfolk Virginia?

Moving due to a job change is a more than just an inconvenience. We know where you're coming from! That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, as well as information about any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our intensive process.

Selling your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Collins Appraisal

Whether you decide 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 when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. The price we charge isn't contingent upon the value we come up with, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We analyze the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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 for an extended amount of time.