Let R Rick Goodwin attend to your appraisal needsThousands of people in Massachusetts purchase, sell or refinance their home each month. Many of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a budding number of automated home valuation systems that might seem more prudent than an appraisal, most lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial. ![]() Appeal your tax assessment in Barnstable CountyIf you reside in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We're qualified to assist you in challenging your tax assessment. PMI removal to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the home owneris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to purchase this extra insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. If you'd like to get rid of PMI, R Rick Goodwin will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can usually be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order an appraisal from R Rick Goodwin Order onlineSettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is an especially daunting event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the home. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from R Rick Goodwin so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house. The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe death of 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 residential property involved. We guarantee 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 wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues. 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Barnstable County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Sell your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees rest on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining 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, because we're experts in knowing how long properties stay on the market. ![]() |