Why would you need an appraisal from Berge Company Appraisers?

To a lot of us, an appraisal just looks like one more thing in the long list of items for a home sale or refinance. Practically all lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are so high, even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation processes that might seem more prudent than an appraisal. But is getting a mortgage the only reason to acquire an appraisal? Are there more cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Of course there are.


	Contact Berge Company Appraisers if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your real estate is a factor. Just click here

Challenge your tax assessment in Los Angeles County

It's quite possible you're paying too much in property taxes if you live in an area where property values have declined. Ad Valorem taxes are determined by a previous assessment of your house, so if values have gone down in your neighborhood, you can appeal your assessment and save money. An appraisal from Berge Company Appraisers is your best evidence when building your case. At Berge Company Appraisers,we can assist you in disputing your tax assessment.

Berge Company Appraisers can help you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an additional insurance policy that many lenders ask home buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. Oftentimes, this added payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. This is bad because PMI becomes unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI installments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to eliminate PMI, Berge Company Appraisers will provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can generally be regained in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Settling a divorce with less stress with an appraisal from Berge Company Appraisers

A divorce can be an especially traumatic ordeal for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the difficult decision of who maintains the house. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home, it's a good idea to order an appraisal from Berge Company Appraisers, regardless of the circumstances.

If the parties need 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 evaluation.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with help from Berge Company AppraisersSettling an estate

The loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish 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 Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Unlike wealthy individuals, most Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of these issues. And since a home or other property often makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value, knowing the absolute value of the real estate at hand is of significant importance to ensuring disputing parties leave knowing they've received a fair deal.

Let Berge Company Appraisers assist you in relocating to or from Los Angeles County

We understand the stress associated with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive attributes of their property, as well as information about any current sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our intensive process.

Don't sell out short or let your home stay on the market too long.

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are derived from our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value items like an additional bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Getting 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 are one the market.

For real property valuation in Southern California, please call or email Berge Company Appraisers. At Berge Company Appraisers, we specialize, but are not limited to retrospective valuation (dates in the past) of single family residential, land, multi family residential and small income properties in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. We also cover portions of San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside and Ventura counties. Please call, email us, or see our home page for the assignment & property types that we cover. Thank you for your interest!