Reasons to order an appraisal from Kathy A. Marks Appraisals

Thousands of people in Pennsylvania buy, sell or refinance their home every month. Most of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that may appear more cost-effective than an appraisal. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Challenge your tax assessment in Schuylkill County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a past assessment of your home, so if values have gone down in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Kathy A. Marks Appraisals is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

How can you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, many lenders ask homeowners to take out an extra insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. More often than not, this added payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Kathy A. Marks Appraisals will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can generally be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property, and it can be an especially heartbreaking ordeal for both parties. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Kathy A. Marks Appraisals, regardless of the situation.

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

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

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 ensure the utmost degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these matters. 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal.

Relocating to or from Schuylkill County?

Moving due to a job change can be a more than just an inconvenience, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Don't sell out short or keep your home on the market too long.

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We determine the difference in value things like an extra 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 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 homes are one the market.