Let Reliable Residential take care of your appraisal

Every year, thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear more economical than an appraisal. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful.

If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your house is a factor, contact Reliable Residential. Just click here.

Dispute your tax assessment in Alameda County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a past assessment of your real estate, so if prices have gone down in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Reliable Residential is your best evidence. At Reliable Residential, we're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment.

PMI removal will lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to take out an extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this additional payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI installments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Reliable Residential can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can usually be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is an especially daunting ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the house. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Reliable Residential, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties need to sell the home, they'll have a a good idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten 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 calls for an appraisal to establish Market Value for the real estate involved. We guarantee the highest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Reliable Residential can help you with relocating to or from Alameda County

Moving due to a job change is a real pain, 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 features of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough process.

Let Reliable Residential help you sell your home quickly at the right price

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

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable 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 for an extended amount of time.