Ordering an appraisal from Koentopp & Associates

Thousands of people in Texas purchase, sell or refinance their home each month. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. Practically all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear to be cheaper than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Of course there are.


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Dispute your tax assessment in Bexar County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a past assessment of your house, so if values have declined in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Koentopp & Associates is your best evidence when building your case. At Koentopp & Associates, we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment.

Eliminating PMI will lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, many lenders ask buyers to purchase an added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Oftentimes, this extra payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Koentopp & Associates can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can usually be regained in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress with an appraisal from Koentopp & Associates

A divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the house. Regardless of the circumstances, it's prudent to order an appraisal from Koentopp & Associates so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property.

If the parties need 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 assessment.

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 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.

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, unlike wealthier individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Koentopp & Associates can help you with relocating to or from Bexar County

Employee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive aspects of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Sell 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. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. The price we charge isn't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long properties are on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine 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 for an extended amount of time.