Reasons to get an appraisalEvery year, thousands of people in Massachusetts buy, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation methods that might appear to be cheaper than an appraisal, almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIf you are in an area where the property value has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Ascension Appraisal is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance plan that almost all lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Very often, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Ascension Appraisal can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the appraisal can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Ascension Appraisal Order todayDivorce settlement with fewer hang-upsA divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Ascension Appraisal so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten 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 requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the real estate 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). Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. 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 significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal. Relocate to or from Worcester County through an employee relocation programWe are aware of the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Sell your home promptly — for the right priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees rest on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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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