Need a Home Appraisal?
We can guide you through the Residential Property Appraisal Process – it’s EASY – You make the call, We do the work!
Before you order your appraisal, you can speak with Certified Residential Appraiser by calling (512) 541-2107. You can also send us email to info@theappraisaliq.com, or send us a note by the contact form at the upper right of this page.
We will answer your appraisal questions, explain what to expect during the property appraisal process, and if you’re ready to order your appraisal, we can guide you through the on-line registration and ordering process. After you have placed your order, your appointment can be scheduled within 24 hours, and you will have your report 1 to 2 days after that. If you need help understanding your completed residential property appraisal, we can explain that to you as well.
The Austin Real Estate Market has Changed
The Austin Real Estate Market has seen a few interesting years recently. Any time values fluctuate, it’s important to be aware of your home’s current value. Real estate appraisal services from a Certified Residential Appraiser will help you understand the value of YOUR home, relative to the other properties in your area.
What to Expect When You Order a Property Appraisal:
- Your Appraisal will be performed by a Certified Residential Appraiser, licensed to perform residential real estate appraisals in Texas.
- We will call you to schedule your Inspection appointment within 24 hours of receiving your order.
- Our fees are competitive.
- We will deliver your report within 24-48 hours after inspection.
- You can register easily and order your Appraisal on-line. You can also check on the status of your order on-line.
- We offer pre- and post-appraisal consulting.
- We will update you on any problems seen during the inspection of your property.
- We strictly adhere to the standards set forth in the USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice)
- Appraisal IQ carries E & O Insurance.
Some of Many Reasons for an Appraisal
- Purchase of a Home
- To Refinance Your Home or Obtain a Home Equity Loan
- PMI Removal
- Divorce Appraisal to determine a Divorce Settlement
- Estate Liquidation or Date of Death Valuation (Retrospective or Historical Appraisal)
- Relocation
- Home Improvements to Add Value
- Prior to Selling a Home, either as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner) or with a REALTOR
The American Dream
Every year, countless people in the United States buy, sell or refinance their own slice of the American Dream. Most, if not all, of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal.
But is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other times when the services of a certified, licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Yes! You should know that the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.
Home Valuation Prior to Purchase
One of the most important issues involved in purchasing a property is developing an opinion of what it’s worth so that you can make an informed offer to purchase. A professional appraisal report performed by a qualified, state-licensed appraiser can provide you with an objective, third party opinion of a property’s current Market Value. And for the small price of this service, you can give yourself “peace of mind” prior to making an offer to purchase that you’re offering a fair price for the property.
Refinancing or Home Equity Loans
If you need to consolidate bills, have a college tuition to pay, or just want to tap into the equity of your home, you’ll need a new loan, which oftentimes requires a new appraisal of the property.
PMI Removal
Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is the supplemental insurance that many lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned is more than 80% of the value of the home. Very often, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan – whether through market appreciation or principal paydown – dips below this 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.
Many appraisers offer a specific service for home owners that believe they have met the 80% loan-to-value metric. For a nominal fee, the appraiser can provide you with a statement regarding the home value. Some will even take the next step and help you file a challenge with your mortgage company. The costs of these services are very often recovered in just a few months of not paying the PMI.
Read our overview for PMI removal for more information.
Divorce Appraisal to determine a Divorce Settlement
A divorce can be a particularly traumatic experience for both parties and is often further complicated by the difficult decision of “Who gets the house?”. In most divorce cases, the Court won’t usually force the parties involved to “buyout” the other party’s interest but it may however order the sale of the home so each party gets an equal share of the equity. Regardless of the situation, it’s a good idea to order an appraisal so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of the property.
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 gotten a fair assessment. Read our information about Divorce Appraisal for more information
Estate Liquidation, or Date of Death Valuation
The loss 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 Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. This type of appraisal (a Date of Death Valuation) is usually a retrospective appraisal (historical appraisal), which means the date of the appraisal is set to a specific time in the past. The appraiser must research and substantiate the market conditions at that point in time when determining the value of the property.
Unlike many wealthy individuals, the majority of Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. Also, in most cases, a home or other real property makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value.
Here too, an appraiser can help. Often the first step in fairly disposing of an estate is to understand its true value. Where property is involved, the appraiser can help determine the true value. At this point, equitable arrangements can more easily be arrived at among disputing parties. Everyone walks away knowing they’ve received a fair deal.
Relocation
We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough 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 neighborhood that they want considered.
Home Improvements to Add Value
Before you decide to sell your home, there are several decisions to be made. First and foremost: “How much should it sell for?” But don’t forget there may be other equally important questions to ask yourself such as “Would it be better to paint the entire house before we sell it?”, “Should I put in that third bathroom?”, “Should I complete my kitchen remodel?” Many things which we do to our houses have an effect on their value. Unfortunately, not all of them have an equal effect. While a kitchen remodel may improve the appeal of a home, it may not add nearly enough to the value to justify the expense.
Selling a Home
Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price.
Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. It’s easy for them to step in and give you the information to help you make your decision. Appraiser fees are based on efforts to complete the report and not a percentage of the sales price. So seeking a professional appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price.