Reasons someone would use the services of Bryan J. Hansen Appraisal

To a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like one more thing in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. And even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more economical than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. But is obtaining a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there also times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Of course there are.

Contact Bryan J. Hansen Appraisal if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your home is a factor. Just click here

Challenge your tax assessment in Cook County

It's probable you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a past assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Bryan J. Hansen Appraisal is your best evidence. We're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment.

How can you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

When the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, nearly all lenders ask home owners to take out an additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is damaging because PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Bryan J. Hansen Appraisal will produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can usually be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a very daunting experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the difficult decision of who maintains the property. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Bryan J. Hansen Appraisal, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a better 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 gotten a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with help from Bryan J. Hansen AppraisalSettling an estate

The loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish 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 fullest degree of discretion.

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the correct value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Relocating to or from Cook County

Employee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed process, we recommend employees that are moving to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Don't sell out for too little or keep your home on the market too long.

Whether 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 better educated decision when determining your selling price. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are based on our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We examine 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 properties stay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine what improvements will add value and what a suitable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time.