Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC in Hancock are called upon for diverse clients

To many, an appraisal just looks like one more thing on the settlement sheet for a mortgage or refinance. And while there are a budding number of automated home valuation systems that may seem more cost-effective than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might think that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be helpful.


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Challenge your tax assessment in Washington County

If you live 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 Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC is your best evidence. At Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC, we're qualified to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

Let Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC help you get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that almost all lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Oftentimes, this extra payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI becomes unnecessary 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) that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the appraisal can generally be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a particularly daunting event for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the property. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances.

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 gotten a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

Losing a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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, ensuring the maximum degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Let Matthew Wood Appraisal Service, LLC help you with relocating to or from Washington County

Moving due to a job change can be a more than just an inconvenience, and we understand. We take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you want 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 amount the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long homes are on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable 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 too long, costing you hassle and money.