Reasons to get an appraisal from Northstar Valuation Group

Year after year, thousands of people in Texas purchase, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a developing number of automated home valuation processes that might appear less expensive than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might believe that securing a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy.


	When you're planning on any transaction where the likely sales price of your real estate is in question, you should contact Northstar Valuation Group. Just click here

Appeal your tax assessment in Tarrant County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your real estate, so if prices have declined in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Northstar Valuation Group is your best evidence. At Northstar Valuation Group,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

How can you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

When the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, many lenders ask homeowners to buy an added insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the extra payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is bad because PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Northstar Valuation Group will produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can usually be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the troublesome decision of who gets the home, and it can be a particularly heartbreaking experience for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Northstar Valuation Group, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture 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 evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss 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 Market Value for the real estate involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, guaranteeing the fullest degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the correct value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Northstar Valuation Group can help you with relocating to or from Tarrant County

Moving due to a job change is 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. We encourage 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 during our thorough process.

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

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. The price we charge isn't contingent upon the value we come up with, but rather they depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal.

We determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide what improvements will add value and what an applicable 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.