Reasons to consider an appraisal from Duncan AppraisalsThousands of people in New Jersey purchase, sell or refinance their home every year. Many of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation systems that may seem more cost-effective than an appraisal. Is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there more situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? Of course there are. ![]() Appeal your tax assessmentIt's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your house, so if values are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Duncan Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment. Eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This extra payment is often lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to do away with PMI, Duncan Appraisals will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can often be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from Duncan Appraisals Order onlineGet a fair valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is often complicated by the strenuous decision of who keeps the property, and it can be an especially daunting ordeal for both parties. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Duncan Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home. The parties will have a better idea 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 gotten a fair assessment. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a painful 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the maximum degree of discretion. Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these affairs. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate 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 walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Bergen County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Close on your home promptly — at the right priceWhether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide 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 an unnecessarily long time, because we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. ![]() |
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