Transbay Appraisal Service in Hercules perform appraisals for diverse purposes

Thousands of people in California purchase, sell or refinance their home every year. A lot of these transactions contain a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that might appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal, nearly all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are so high. You might believe that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional times when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful.


	Contact Transbay Appraisal Service if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your property is a factor. Just click here

Appeal your tax assessment in Contra Costa County

If you live in an area where property values have depreciated, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. An appraisal from Transbay Appraisal Service is your best evidence when building your case. At Transbay Appraisal Service, we're qualified to assist you in appealing your tax assessment.

Transbay Appraisal Service can help you eliminate PMI to lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the homebuyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. More often than not, this extra payment is lumped into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. This is bad because PMI is unnecessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes 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 eliminate PMI, Transbay Appraisal Service can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The price you paid for the appraisal can usually be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce can be a particularly traumatic event for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the challenging decision of who keeps the property. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from Transbay Appraisal Service so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their home.

If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've received 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 requires an appraisal to establish Market Value for the real estate involved. We ensure the utmost 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 affairs. 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 vital importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Let Transbay Appraisal Service help you with relocating to or from Contra Costa County

Employee relocation is a real pain, and we understand. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide remarks on the positive attributes of their property, along with information regarding any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough process.

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

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your selling price, whether you want to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for, unlike real estate agents. Our fees aren't contingent upon the value we report, but rather they are based on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we analyze the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. And we're experts in knowing how long properties are on the market. So, 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 too long, costing you time and money.