Why you should order an appraisalThousands of people in New Jersey purchase, sell or refinance their home each year. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high. Is securing a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there more situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Absolutely. 
Challenge your tax assessment in Bergen CountyIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live 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 area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment. Eliminating PMI for mortgage paymentsPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that many lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Seeing that extra payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. James Minaya & Company can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can generally be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from James Minaya & Company today Order todaySettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is a particularly traumatic ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the property. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from James Minaya & Company so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances. If the parties need 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 received a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe death of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair 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 utmost degree of discretion. Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues, unlike wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal. Move to or from Bergen County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home quickly — for the right priceWhether you decide 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 price the house sells for. Our fees rest on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what an applicable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time. 
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