Let J. GRAHAM GAULT REAL ESTATE APPRAISER & CONSULTANT handle your appraisal needs

Thousands of people in Louisiana buy, sell or refinance their home each year. Many of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. The majority of lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a budding number of automated home valuation systems that might appear to be more economical than an appraisal. Is securing a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there other cases when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional might come in handy? You bet.

Let J. GRAHAM GAULT REAL ESTATE APPRAISER & CONSULTANT help you lower your mortgage payment

Dispute your tax assessment in Ouachita County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a past assessment of your home, so if values have gone down in your area, you can appeal your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from us is your best evidence. We can assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Remove PMI to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the buyeris more than 80% of the actual value of the property, most lenders ask homeowners to buy this additional insurance policy. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. Seeing that added payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't required when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was implemented by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, J. GRAHAM GAULT REAL ESTATE APPRAISER & CONSULTANT can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can usually be offset in a short amount of time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

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Get a fair valuation on a home take make a divorce settlement less stressful

A divorce is a particularly horrible experience for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the difficult decision of who keeps the home. So both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from J. GRAHAM GAULT REAL ESTATE APPRAISER & CONSULTANT, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties wish 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 evaluation.

Accurate and fair 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 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 wealthy individuals, most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these affairs. A home or other property often makes up an unequal share of the total estate value, so understanding the true value of the real estate at hand is of essential importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Move to or from Ouachita County through an employee relocation program

Employee relocation can be a stressful event, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in establishing an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage 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 promptly — for 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 can help you make a more informed decision regarding your selling price. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, apart from real estate agents. Our fees are calculated on our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

We examine the difference in value items like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long housesare on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted way to decide 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.

Let J. GRAHAM GAULT REAL ESTATE APPRAISER & CONSULTANT assist you in selling your home quickly at the right price