Let Higgs Appraisals take care of your appraisal

Thousands of people in Illinois purchase, sell or refinance their home every year. Most of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are very high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear more practical than an appraisal. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are additional instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial.

When you're planning on any transaction where the likely sales price of your house is a factor, contact Higgs Appraisals. Just click here

Challenge your tax assessment in Central Illinois

If you reside in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Higgs Appraisals is your best evidence. At Higgs Appraisals, we're equipped to assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Let Higgs Appraisals help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that most lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Oftentimes, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remainder of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to dismiss the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Higgs Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the appraisal can generally be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce can be an especially traumatic experience for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Higgs Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their property, regardless of the situation.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation

Losing a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often calls for 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 highest degree of discretion.

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these affairs, unlike many wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, understanding the precise value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Relocating to or from Central Illinois

Moving due to a job change can be a real pain. We know where you're coming from! That being said, we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we recommend employees that are moving to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Let Higgs Appraisals help you sell your home quickly at the right price

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We analyze 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 reliable way to decide 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.