Why you should get an appraisal from J. Edward Associates

Each year, thousands of people in Illinois purchase, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that might appear to be more prudent than an appraisal, almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.


	For real estate appraisals in Rolling Meadows and Cook County, it's easiest when your order online from J. Edward Associates, just click here.

Let J. Edward Associates help you challenge your tax assessment in Cook County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values have gone down in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from J. Edward Associates is your best evidence. At J. Edward Associates, we're capable of assisting you in appealing your tax assessment.

How can you get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

When the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask homeowners to purchase an extra insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Very often, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI is no longer required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to remove the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, J. Edward Associates can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the home valuation can usually be recovered in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the home. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from J. Edward Associates so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties need 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.

Trustworthy estate liquidation

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

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs, unlike wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

J. Edward Associates can assist you in relocating to or from Cook County

We know the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our thorough process.

Let J. Edward Associates help you sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can 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 amount the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees are based on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of 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 houses stay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a trusted 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 too long, costing you hassle and money.