Why you should get an appraisal

Thousands of people in Colorado buy, sell or refinance their home each year. Most of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. Nearly all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal. But is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there other situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy? You bet there are.


	For real estate appraisals in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, it's easiest when your order online from Sara Hillman, just click here.

Dispute your tax assessment in El Paso County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your home, so if prices have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Sara Hillman is your best evidence when building your case. We're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let Sara Hillman help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that nearly all lenders ask homeowners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Since the additional payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Sara Hillman will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Sara Hillman will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property, and it can be a particularly traumatic occurrence for both parties. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Sara Hillman so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house.

The parties will have a good idea of what price to set, if they wish 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 loss of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the highest degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. A home or other property often makes up an uneven 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 received an honest deal.

Relocating to or from El Paso County

Moving due to a job change is a stressful event. We know where you're coming from! We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we suggest relocating employees to provide input on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Sara Hillman

Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We analyze the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting 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.