Why you should hire an appraiser

Thousands of people in Louisiana purchase, sell or refinance their home every month. Many of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a developing number of automated home valuation systems that might seem more economical than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are so high. Is securing a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there also situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy? Of course there are.

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Appeal your tax assessment in Lafayette County

If you reside in an area where the value of property has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Appraisals by Kana, we're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Removing PMI for mortgage payments

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask home owners to buy this supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. More often than not, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was invoked by the United States Congress that requires lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Appraisals by Kana will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the home valuation can often be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce can be an especially traumatic experience for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the property. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Appraisals by Kana, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a a good 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.

Determine a fair and accurate valuation for estate liquidation

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 real estate involved. We guarantee the maximum degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these matters, unlike wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal.

Move to or from Lafayette County through an employee relocation program

We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home promptly — at an accurate price

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't related to the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to finish the appraisal report.

We analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting 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 an unnecessarily long time, because we're experts in knowing how long homes are one the market.

Let Appraisals by Kana help you sell your home quickly at the right price