Why you should get an appraisalThousands of people in South Carolina buy, sell or refinance their home every month. Many of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more economical than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there additional situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be helpful? Absolutely. 
Dispute your tax assessmentIt's probable 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 home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. Get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the homebuyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the home, almost all lenders ask home owners to purchase this supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the added payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is damaging 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 invoked 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 do away with PMI, A. M. Appraisals will give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from A. M. Appraisals Order onlineGet a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressfulA divorce is a particularly traumatic experience for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from A. M. Appraisals so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house. If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment. Accurate and fair estate liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for an appraisal to establish Fair 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 utmost degree of discretion. Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these affairs. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the true worth of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Relocate to or from Lexington County through an employee relocation programEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive inspection. Sell your home promptly — at an accurate priceA professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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 properties are one the market. 
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Do you need some extra cash?
We can determine the value of your property so that the bank or mortgage company of your choice will know how much money to loan you. This is typically an essential step in the loan process.