Let Teresa Peterson & Associates take care of your appraisal

To a lot of people, an appraisal is simply one more thing in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. And even though there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation processes that may appear to be more prudent than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. But is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there also times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy? Of course there are.

Contact Teresa Peterson & Associates if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your real estate is a factor. Just click here

Let Teresa Peterson & Associates help you dispute your tax assessment in Summit County

If you reside in an area where the value of property has declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Teresa Peterson & Associates is your best evidence when building your case. We're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Teresa Peterson & Associates can help you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Most often, this added payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level, 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 dismiss the PMI installments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

Teresa Peterson & Associates can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can often be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress with an appraisal from Teresa Peterson & Associates

A divorce can be a particularly daunting ordeal for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the difficult decision of who gets the property. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Teresa Peterson & Associates so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a better 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 evaluation.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with help from Teresa Peterson & AssociatesSettling an estate

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. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters, unlike wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the precise value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Teresa Peterson & Associates can assist you in relocating to or from Summit County

We are aware of the stress associated with an employee relocation. We take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input 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 thorough process.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your asking price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees are based on our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long properties stay on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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.