Higdon & Associates in Antioch are hired for numerous clients

Thousands of people in California purchase, sell or refinance their home each year. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Most lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that may appear more practical than an appraisal. But is obtaining a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there more cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be beneficial? Absolutely.


	Contact Higdon & Associates if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your home is a factor. Just click here

Let Higdon & Associates help you dispute your tax assessment in Contra Costa County

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values are less than what they used to be in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Higdon & Associates is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

How can you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

When the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, almost all lenders ask home owners to take out an supplemental insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This added payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Higdon & Associates can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the cost of the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Higdon & Associates will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce is often complicated by the burdensome decision of who maintains the property, and it can be a very heartbreaking event for both parties. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Higdon & Associates so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the situation.

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

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

Losing 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 real estate involved. We ensure the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, unlike wealthier individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, knowing 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.

Relocating to or from Contra Costa County

Employee relocation is a stressful event. We know where you're coming from. That's why we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we suggest 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 area that they want considered.

Don't sell out short or keep your home on the market too long.

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your asking price, whether you choose 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 based on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we examine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Obtaining a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide 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 houses are one the market.