Why you should get an appraisal

To a lot of people, an appraisal is simply a line item in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear more prudent than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might think that getting a mortgage is the only reason to get an appraisal, but there are additional cases when the services of a designated, independent real estate professional could come in handy.

Settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be an especially traumatic event for both parties, and it is often even more complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Appraisals Niagara Real Estate Appraisers Inc. so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

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

Fair and accurate estate liquidation

The loss of a loved one is a difficult 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. We ensure the fullest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP).

Most Canadians do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of vital importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal.

Sell your home quickly — for an accurate price

Whether you want 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 regarding your asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. Our fees aren't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they rest on our efforts to complete the appraisal report.

We analyze the difference in value things like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long homes stay on the market. So, obtaining 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.