John E. Moes Appraisal Services in Cottage Grove perform appraisals for a variety of clients

To a lot of people, an appraisal is simply one more thing on the break-sheet for a home sale or refinance. Almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal. You might believe that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are other instances when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Dispute your tax assessment in Washington County

If you live in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from John E. Moes Appraisal Services is your best evidence. At John E. Moes Appraisal Services, we're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let John E. Moes Appraisal Services assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Most often, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI is no longer required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, John E. Moes Appraisal Services can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially heartbreaking experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the hard decision of who gets the home. Regardless of the situation, it's prudent to get an appraisal from John E. Moes Appraisal Services so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house.

If the parties want 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 received a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The 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 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 fullest degree of discretion.

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received an honest deal.

Relocating to or from Washington County

Employee relocation can be a real pain. We know where you're coming from. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we recommend employees that are moving to provide input on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Don't sell out for too little or let your home stay on the market too long.

A professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining 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, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't contingent upon the value we come up with, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

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 decide what improvements will add value and what an appropriate 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 houses stay on the market.