Reasons to hire an appraiserYear after year, thousands of people in Illinois buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear cheaper than an appraisal. You might think that getting a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIt's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your home, so if values have gone down in your neighborhood, you can challenge 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. PMI removal to lower your mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Most often, this extra payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Appraisals By Trautman will produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can usually be recovered in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Appraisals By Trautman today Order todayGet a clear valuation on a home for divorce settlementsA divorce is an especially horrible experience for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who gets 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 Appraisals By Trautman, regardless of the situation. The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they need 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 assessment. Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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 maximum degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs, unlike wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal. Relocate to or from Champaign County for workEmployee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing 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 area that they want considered during our detailed inspection. Sell your home promptly — at the right priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price. We determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted 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. 
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