Tim Norris & Associates in Fort Wayne do appraisals for numerous clients

To a lot of people, an appraisal just looks like another fee in the long list of items for a home purchase or refinance. The majority of lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation processes that may appear more economical than an appraisal. But is obtaining a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there more instances when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful? You bet.


	If you're planning on any transaction where the value of your real estate is a factor, contact Tim Norris & Associates. Just click here.

Dispute your tax assessment in Allen 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 based upon a previous assessment of your real estate, so if values have gone down in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Tim Norris & Associates is your best evidence. At Tim Norris & Associates,we can assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

How can you get rid of PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the home. Very often, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is bad because PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI installments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Tim Norris & Associates will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home, and the expense of the home valuation can often be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress

A divorce is a very traumatic event for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who keeps the property. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Tim Norris & Associates, regardless of the situation.

If the parties wish to sell the home, they'll have a better 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 received a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

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 real estate involved. We ensure the highest 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 take care of these issues, unlike wealthy individuals. And seeing that a home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, understanding the absolute value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Tim Norris & Associates can assist you in relocating to or from Allen County

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 setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed process.

Selling your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Tim Norris & Associates

A professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. 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 contingent upon the value we report, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

We determine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Seeking a professional appraisal is a reliable way to decide what improvements will add value and what an appropriate 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 stay on the market.