Why would you need an appraisal from Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser?

Year after year, thousands of people in Illinois purchase, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem cheaper than an appraisal, almost all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might think that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.

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Dispute your tax assessment in Peoria County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your real estate, so if values are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser is your best evidence. At Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser, we're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI will lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that almost all lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. This extra payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is bad because PMI isn't required when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can generally be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be a very daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who keeps the property. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser, regardless of the situation.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The death of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires 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 manage these issues. 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser can help you with relocating to or from Peoria County

Moving due to a job change is a stressful event, and we understand. That's why we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough process.

Let Dianna J. Joseph, Appraiser assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are based 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. And we're experts in knowing how long properties stay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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 for an extended amount of time.