There are lots of reasons the public calls on Taranto Appraisal Services

To many, an appraisal just looks like one more thing on the settlement sheet for a mortgage or refinance. Most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation processes that might appear more practical than an appraisal. You might believe that securing a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial.

For real estate appraisals in Woodland Hills and Los Angeles County, it's easiest when your order online from Taranto Appraisal Services, just click here.

Let Taranto Appraisal Services help you challenge your tax assessment in Los Angeles County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Property taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your home, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from Taranto Appraisal Services is your best evidence. We're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

How can you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance plan that almost all lenders ask home owners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Since the additional payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI is no longer required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress invoked a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Taranto Appraisal Services can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The cost of the appraisal can often be recovered 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 particularly heartbreaking ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the strenuous decision of who keeps the property. It's a good idea to order an appraisal from Taranto Appraisal Services so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances.

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 gotten a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss of 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. We guarantee the highest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Unlike many wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. And since a home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, understanding the correct value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've received a fair deal.

Relocating to or from Los Angeles County?

Employee relocation is a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating 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 intensive process.

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

Whether you want to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision regarding your asking price. With much different interests than a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

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 reliable 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 stay on the market.