Why you should hire an appraiserYear after year, thousands of people in Pennsylvania buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation processes that might appear more prudent than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high. Is securing a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there additional situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful? You bet. 
Contest your tax assessmentIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are determined by a past assessment of your real estate, so if prices have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from H.M. Hoffman & Company is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. More often than not, this extra payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder 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 requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. H.M. Hoffman & Company can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from H.M. Hoffman & Company Order onlineSettle a divorce with fewer hang-upsA divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the house, and it can be a particularly horrible event for both parties. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from H.M. Hoffman & Company so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances. If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a a good 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 received a fair evaluation. Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. We ensure the maximum degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal. Move to or from Montgomery County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for the right priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report. 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 propertiesare on the market. So, 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. 
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