profile picture

Why order an appraisal from Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals?

To many, an appraisal is simply one more thing in the long list of items for a mortgage or refinance. And even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more economical than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might assume that securing a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.

If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your real estate is a factor, just contact Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals. Just click here.

Dispute your tax assessment in Travis County

If you live in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals is your best evidence. We're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to take out an added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the additional payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can usually be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is a very traumatic ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who maintains the house. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation.

If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss of a loved one is a painful 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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the highest degree of discretion.

Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, knowing the correct value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Relocating to or from Travis County?

We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we suggest employees that are moving to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Shirley E. Mitchell Real Estate Appraisals

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking 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, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal.

We examine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide 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.