Let Appraisal First, Inc. handle your appraisal needs

Thousands of people in Missouri buy, sell or refinance their home each year. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation systems that might seem more economical than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are other situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful.

Let Appraisal First, Inc. assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Contest your tax assessment

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your real estate, so if values have gone down in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Appraisal First, Inc. is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI for mortgage payments

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance policy that many lenders ask buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Seeing that extra 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 - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Appraisal First, Inc. will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can usually be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Get a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressful

A divorce is a particularly traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome 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 order an appraisal from Appraisal First, Inc., regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they want 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 evaluation.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The death of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Fair 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 many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Move to or from Greene County through an employee relocation program

Employee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Close on your home quickly — for an accurate price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide 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 an unnecessarily long time, because we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market.

Let Appraisal First, Inc. assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price