Reasons to get an appraisal

Thousands of people in Alabama purchase, sell or refinance their home every month. A lot 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 an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that might appear more economical than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there also times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? You bet there are.

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Let Timothy N. Marbut help you challenge your tax assessment in Etowah County

If you reside in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Timothy N. Marbut is your best evidence. At Timothy N. Marbut, we're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment.

Timothy N. Marbut can help you get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Since the added payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Timothy N. Marbut will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal 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 particularly traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the home. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Timothy N. Marbut, regardless of the situation.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a a good 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.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with help from Timothy N. MarbutSettling an estate

Losing a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Market Value for the real estate involved. We ensure the highest 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 handle these issues. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Relocating to or from Etowah County

Employee relocation can be a stressful event. We know where you're coming from! That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed process, we encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Let Timothy N. Marbut help you sell your home quickly at the right price

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. The price we charge isn't related to the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to finish the appraisal.

We analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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 too long, costing you hassle and money.