There are lots of reasons the public calls on Gregory W. Easter

To a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like another cost on the settlement sheet for a home sale or refinance. Even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may seem more economical than an appraisal, practically all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. But is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there also times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy? You bet.

Contact Gregory W. Easter if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your real estate is a factor. Just click here

Dispute your tax assessment in Davidson County

If you reside in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Gregory W. Easter, IFA is your best evidence when building your case. At Gregory W. Easter, we're qualified to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Gregory W. Easter can help you do away with 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 homebuyers to take out an additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. This is bad because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder 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) that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Gregory W. Easter can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can usually be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the home, and it can be an especially heartbreaking ordeal for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Gregory W. Easter, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better 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.

Trustworthy estate liquidation

The death of a loved one is a hard 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 maximum degree of discretion.

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these matters. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so knowing 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 Gregory W. Easter assist you in relocating to or from Davidson County, TN

We are aware of the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough process, we suggest relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Let Gregory W. Easter assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you decide 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. Our fees aren't contingent upon the value we come up with, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal.

We analyze the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Obtaining 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 - because we're experts in knowing how long homes are one the market.