Why you should order an appraisal

To many, an appraisal just looks like one more thing in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. And even though there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may seem more cost-effective than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. You might think that securing 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 be helpful.


	For real estate appraisals in Topeka and Shawnee County, it's easiest when your order online from Desch Appraisals, just click here.

Let Desch Appraisals help you challenge your tax assessment in Shawnee County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are determined by a past assessment of your house, so if prices are less than what they used to be in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Desch Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

How can you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an extra insurance policy that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. This extra payment is often folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI isn't required when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - falls below the 80% level. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress requiring lenders to remove the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Desch Appraisals can produce a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can often be regained in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Desch Appraisals will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially traumatic ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often further complicated by the troublesome decision of who maintains the home. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Desch Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their house.

If the parties want 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

Losing a loved one is a hard time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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).

Unlike wealthier individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these matters. A home or other property often makes up an uneven share of the total estate value, so knowing the true value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received an honest deal.

Let Desch Appraisals assist you in relocating to or from Shawnee County

We are familiar with the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed process, we encourage employees that are moving to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any current sales or listings in their area that they want considered.

Don't sell out for too little or keep your home on the market too long.

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 more informed decision when determining your selling 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 derived from our efforts to complete the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

We analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. Seeking 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 - because we're experts in knowing how long houses stay on the market.