There are lots of reasons the public calls on North Star Appraisal

Every year, thousands of people in Idaho buy, sell or refinance their home. Most of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. Almost all lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high, even though there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more practical than an appraisal. You might think that securing a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are other situations when the services of a certified, independent real estate professional could come in handy.


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Challenge your tax assessment

It's likely you're paying too much in property taxes if you reside in an area where property values have depreciated. Property taxes are based upon a past assessment of your home, so if values are less than what they used to be in your area, you can challenge your assessment and save money. When building your case, an appraisal from North Star Appraisal is your best evidence. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

Let North Star Appraisal help you lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is a supplemental insurance plan that almost all lenders ask buyers to buy when the amount being loaned to the home buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. More often than not, this additional payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the United States Congress implemented a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) requiring lenders to do away with the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.

North Star Appraisal can produce a statement regarding the value of your home, and 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.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce is a very heartbreaking ordeal for all parties involved, and it is often more complicated by the decision of who gets the house. So both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their property, it's a good idea to get an appraisal from North Star Appraisal, regardless of the situation.

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 received a fair assessment.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with North Star Appraisal Settling an estate

Losing a loved one is a painful 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 ensure the highest degree of discretion, as we're bound with confidentiality by the ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Most Americans don't have dedicated estate planners or executors to manage these issues, unlike 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 walk away knowing they've gotten an honest deal.

Relocating to or from South West Idaho

Employee relocation is a real pain. We know where you're coming from. That's why we take great care in setting up a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed process.

Sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision regarding your asking price, whether you choose to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. An appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for, which is different than the interest of real estate agents. Our fees are derived from our efforts to finish the appraisal report and and aren't related to the sales price.

We examine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make on a daily basis. And we're experts in knowing how long properties are on the market. So, obtaining a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine 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.