Reasons someone would use the services of Northland Appraisal Service

Thousands of people in Minnesota buy, sell or refinance their home every year. Many of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Practically all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear cheaper than an appraisal. You might believe that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy.

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Let Northland Appraisal Service help you appeal your tax assessment in Otter Tail County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Northland Appraisal Service is your best evidence when building your case. We're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Getting rid of your PMI will lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that many lenders ask buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Seeing that extra payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Northland Appraisal Service can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can generally be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is a very daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the property. Regardless of the situation, it's wise to order an appraisal from Northland Appraisal Service so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house.

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

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The death 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 wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. A home or other property often makes up an unequal 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 an honest deal.

Let Northland Appraisal Service help you with relocating to or from Otter Tail County

Employee relocation is a real pain. We know where you're coming from. That's why we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we recommend relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are based on our efforts to perform the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

We determine 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 properties are on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine what improvements will add value and what a suitable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market too long, costing you hassle and money.