Why you should order an appraisal from J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services

Year after year, thousands of people in South Carolina purchase, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might assume that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Let J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services help you challenge your tax assessment in Berkeley County

If you reside in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services is your best evidence when building your case. We're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Let J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property, almost all lenders ask homebuyers to buy an supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Since the added payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be recovered 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 burdensome decision of who gets the property, and it can be a particularly heartbreaking event for both parties. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a a good 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 gotten a fair assessment.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation with J. Harold Koester Appraisal ServicesSettling an estate

The death of a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for 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.

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the absolute value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services can help you with relocating to or from Berkeley County

We understand the stress associated with an employee relocation. We take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. 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 during our detailed process.

Let J. Harold Koester Appraisal Services assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price

Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. 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.