A to Z Appraisals in Skokie are hired for a variety of clients

Every year, thousands of people in Illinois purchase, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal. You might think that getting a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Challenge your tax assessment in Cook County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your home, so if values have gone down in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from A to Z Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. At A to Z Appraisals,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal will lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask buyers to buy an supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, A to Z Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can often be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is a very heartbreaking ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from A to Z Appraisals, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a good idea 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.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

Losing a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for 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, guaranteeing the highest degree of discretion.

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike wealthier individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

A to Z Appraisals can help you with relocating to or from Cook County

Employee relocation can be a more than just an inconvenience. We know where you're coming from! We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough process.

Let A to Z Appraisals assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

Whether you choose 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 your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees are derived from our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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 - because we're experts in knowing how long homes are one the market.