Reasons to get an appraisalTo a lot of people, an appraisal is simply a line item on the break-sheet for a home sale or refinance. Nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear to be less expensive than an appraisal. You might assume that securing a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy. 
Appeal your tax assessment in Travis or Williamson CountyIf you reside in an area where the property value has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Oak Appraisal Group is your best evidence when building your case. At Oak Appraisal Group, we're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home, nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase this extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the extra payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Oak Appraisal Group will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can often be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Oak Appraisal Group today Order todayGet a clear valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is an especially horrible ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Oak Appraisal Group so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances. 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 assessment. Determine an accurate and fair 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the maximum degree of discretion. Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike wealthier individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing 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. Move to or from the Greater Austin Area through an employee relocation programWe understand the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — for an accurate priceA professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you choose 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 rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. We analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide 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 houses stay on the market. 
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