Why you should hire an appraiser

Year after year, thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a multiplying number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more prudent than an appraisal, almost all lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might believe that getting a mortgage is the only reason to acquire an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy.

Let MacBride Appraisal assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Contest your tax assessment

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your house, so if values have gone down in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that most lenders ask homebuyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Very often, this extra payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is unfavorable because PMI becomes unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, MacBride Appraisal can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can often be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Get a clear valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressful

A divorce can be a very traumatic experience for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from MacBride Appraisal so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, 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 on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received a fair assessment.

Accurate and fair estate liquidation


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

Relocate to or from San Diego County for work

Employee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive characteristics of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed inspection.

Sell your home promptly — at an accurate price

A professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they depend on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long propertiesare 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.

Let MacBride Appraisal help you sell your home quickly at the right price