Why you should hire an appraiserThousands of people in Illinois buy, sell or refinance their home every month. Most of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. Practically all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear to be less expensive than an appraisal. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only basis for getting an appraisal, but there are more times when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy. 
Challenge your tax assessmentIt's possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are based upon a previous assessment of your real estate, so if values have declined in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Mannion Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We can assist you in appealing your tax assessment. PMI removal to reduce a mortgage paymentPrivate Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask home buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Oftentimes, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI is unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met. Mannion Appraisals will give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can usually be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI. Order your appraisal from Mannion Appraisals today Order todaySettle a divorce with less stressA divorce is often complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the home, and it can be a particularly daunting ordeal for both parties. Regardless of the circumstances, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Mannion Appraisals so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their home. If the parties need to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture 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 liquidationThe loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails an appraisal to establish Fair 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 highest degree of discretion. Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these matters, unlike wealthy individuals. And since a home or other property often makes up an unequal 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 a fair deal. Move to or from Cook County for workWe are aware of the stress associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed inspection, we suggest relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive features of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered. Close on your home quickly — for an accurate priceWhether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are based on our efforts to finish 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. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare on the market. So, 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. 
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