Ordering an appraisal from Olsen Residential Appraisers

To many, an appraisal just looks like another cost on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. And even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that might seem more cost-effective than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. But is securing a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? You bet.


	When you're planning on any transaction where the likely sales price of your property is a factor, just contact Olsen Residential Appraisers. Just click here

Challenge your tax assessment in Spokane County

If you live in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Olsen Residential Appraisers is your best evidence when building your case. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask home buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. More often than not, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is bad because PMI is unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Olsen Residential Appraisers can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can generally be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a particularly traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Olsen Residential Appraisers so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a a good idea of what price to set, if they need 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 assessment.

Trustworthy estate liquidation

Losing a loved one is a difficult 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. 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 do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle 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 significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Let Olsen Residential Appraisers help you with relocating to or from Spokane County

Employee relocation is a real pain, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive features of their property, along with information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Let Olsen Residential Appraisers assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. The price we charge isn't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable 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 houses stay on the market.