Why you should get an appraisal from Crow & Associates

Thousands of people in Texas buy, sell or refinance their home every year. A lot of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more prudent than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there more instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? Of course.


	Order appraisals on this website by simply clicking here.

Let Crow & Associates help you dispute your tax assessment in Harris County

It's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your home, so if values have declined in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Crow & Associates is your best evidence. We're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let Crow & Associates assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, most lenders ask homebuyers to take out an added insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This extra payment is often bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Crow & Associates 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.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be an especially daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the difficult decision of who keeps the home. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Crow & Associates, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a a good idea of what price to set, if they wish to sell the home. And on the flip side, 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 hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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, ensuring the utmost degree of discretion.

Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an unequal 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 gotten a fair deal.

Let Crow & Associates assist you in relocating to or from Harris 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 suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance 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. The price we charge isn't contingent upon the value opinion we render, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Getting a professional appraisal is a trusted way to determine what improvements will add value and what a suitable 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.