Let Century Appraising Services attend to your appraisal needsYear after year, thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear less expensive than an appraisal, most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are other times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy. 
Appeal your tax assessment in Los Angeles CountyIt's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your house, so if prices have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. At Century Appraising Services, we're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentWhen the amount being loaned to the home buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, nearly all lenders ask home buyers to buy this added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that additional payment is usually lumped into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Century Appraising Services can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can often be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Get your appraisal from Century Appraising Services Order todaySettle a divorce with less stressA divorce can be an especially traumatic ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who gets the house. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Century Appraising Services so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation. If the parties need to sell the home, they'll have a better idea 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. Determine an accurate and fair valuation for estate liquidationLosing a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Fair 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 utmost degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike many wealthy individuals. And since 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal. Move to or from Los Angeles County for workEmployee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we recommend relocating employees to provide input on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered. Close on your home promptly — at the right priceWhether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price. We determine the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. 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 stay on the market. 
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