Why you should order an appraisal from McHugh Appraisal Service

Thousands of people in California buy, sell or refinance their home every month. Most of these transactions consist of a simple line item for an appraisal. And even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear less expensive than an appraisal, almost all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might assume that securing a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are other cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy.

Order appraisals on this website by simply clicking here.

Let McHugh Appraisal Service help you dispute your tax assessment in San Mateo County

If you live in an area where the value of property has depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from McHugh Appraisal Service is your best evidence. At McHugh Appraisal Service,we can assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

How can you do away with PMI to lower your mortgage payment?

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance policy that most lenders ask home owners to buy when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Seeing that extra payment is usually bundled into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often 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 implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to do away with the PMI installments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

McHugh Appraisal Service can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for 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 traumatic ordeal for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who gets the house. So both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from McHugh Appraisal Service, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a clearer picture of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

Losing a loved one is a difficult 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 maximum 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 manage these affairs, unlike wealthy individuals. And seeing that 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.

McHugh Appraisal Service can assist you in relocating to or from San Mateo County

We are familiar with the headaches associated with an employee relocation. That's why we take great care in organizing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our intensive process, we recommend relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive characteristics of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Selling your home quickly at the right price

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price. Separate from a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to finish the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. 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 properties stay on the market.