Let Durante Residential Valuation take care of your appraisal

To many, an appraisal is simply another cost on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. Almost all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that may appear cheaper than an appraisal. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are more situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.

For real estate appraisals in McHenry and Lake County, it's easiest when your order online from Durante Residential Valuation, just click here.

Appeal your tax assessment in Lake County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Durante Residential Valuation is your best evidence. At Durante Residential Valuation,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Durante Residential Valuation can help you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to take out an extra insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Most often, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes 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 installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Durante Residential Valuation can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the home valuation can usually be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Durante Residential Valuation will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be a very daunting experience for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the home. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Durante Residential Valuation so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a clearer picture of what price to set, if they wish to sell the home. And 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

The 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 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 maximum degree of discretion.

Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal.

Durante Residential Valuation can assist you in relocating to or from Lake County

We know the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed process, 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.

Don't sell out short or keep your home on the market too long.

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. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. 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 determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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 an unnecessarily long time.