Why you should get an appraisal from Tri-State Appraisals

Year after year, thousands of people in West Virginia purchase, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem more cost-effective than an appraisal. You might believe that securing a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful.


	For real estate appraisals in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam or Wayne counties, it's easiest when your order online from Tri-State Appraisals, just click here.

Challenge your tax assessment in Logan County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Tri-State Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

PMI removal will lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to take out an added insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Tri-State Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. 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.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a particularly daunting ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the hard decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Tri-State Appraisals, regardless of the situation.

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

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The death of 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 residential property involved. We guarantee the maximum degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike many wealthy 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 essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Relocating to or from Logan County

We are familiar with the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our intensive process.

Selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Seeking 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 stay on the market.