Why you should order an appraisal from Raven Appraisal Services

Thousands of people in  buy, sell or refinance their home every month. Most of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear to be less expensive than an appraisal. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful.

Appeal your tax assessment

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your real estate, so if values have declined in your neighborhood, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Raven Appraisal Services, we're equipped to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to reduce your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that most lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. More often than not, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loanwhether through market appreciation or principal pay downgoes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Raven Appraisal Services can perform a market-value appraisal of your home. The expense of the home valuation can usually be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Order an appraisal from Raven Appraisal Services

Order today

Settle a divorce with fewer hang-ups

A divorce can be a very traumatic ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the troublesome decision of who keeps the house. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Raven Appraisal Services, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they wish to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair evaluation.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation

The loss 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 real estate involved. We guarantee the utmost degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Move to or from the Metro Detroit area for work

We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our detailed inspection.

Close on your home promptly — at an accurate price

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining sales price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount a given home will sell for. Fees are based on the time and work required to perform the appraisal and not a percentage of the sales price.

Seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements are most likely to add value to your home and what is the most probably sales price based on current market trends. This will insure your home is competitively priced in the market at the start and help to avoid the property languishing on the market due to lack of buyer interest because of unsupported market value pricing.