Reasons to get an appraisal from Johnston Appraisal CompanyTo many, an appraisal just looks like another cost in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. Almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear less expensive than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there additional instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Absolutely. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIf you reside in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Johnston Appraisal Company is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Oftentimes, this added payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, 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, Johnston Appraisal Company can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Johnston Appraisal Company Order todayDivorce settlement with less stressA divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the property, and it can be an especially traumatic ordeal for both parties. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Johnston Appraisal Company so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the situation. The parties will have a a good idea of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the highest 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 manage these affairs, unlike wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Move to or from Westmoreland County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home quickly — at the right priceA professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. 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 finish the appraisal report. We analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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, because we're experts in knowing how long properties stay on the market. 
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