Why you should hire an appraiser

Thousands of people in South Carolina buy, sell or refinance their home every year. A lot of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. While there are a growing number of automated home valuation systems that might appear more economical than an appraisal, most lenders still want a local expert because the stakes are very high. You might assume that obtaining a mortgage is the only reason you should get an appraisal, but there are additional situations when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be helpful.

Contact Two Rivers Appraisals if you're planning on any transaction where the value of your property is a factor. Just click here

Let Two Rivers Appraisals help you appeal your tax assessment in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester or Colleton 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 Two Rivers Appraisals is your best evidence when building your case. We're capable of assisting you in disputing your tax assessment.

PMI removal to lower your mortgage payment

When the amount being loaned to the homeowner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate, most lenders ask homebuyers to take out an additional insurance plan. That policy is Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. More often than not, this added payment is bundled into the monthly mortgage payment and is soon forgotten. PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - dips below the 80% mark, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress requiring lenders to eliminate the PMI payments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

Two Rivers Appraisals can give you a statement regarding the value of your home, and the price you paid for the home valuation can generally be offset in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Two Rivers Appraisals will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce can be a particularly daunting event for both parties, and it is often more complicated by the hard decision of who keeps the house. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Two Rivers Appraisals so both parties are entirely aware of the true market value of their home, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a better idea of what price to set, if they need to sell the home. And on the flip side, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair evaluation.

Fair and accurate estate liquidation with Two Rivers Appraisals settling an estate

The loss of a loved one is a painful time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Market Value for the residential property 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 do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to take care of 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 significant importance to ensuring disputing parties walk away knowing they've gotten a fair deal.

Two Rivers Appraisals, Inc. can help you with relocating to or from the Charleston area

We are aware of the headaches involved with an employee relocation. That being said, we take great care in organizing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide feedback on the positive aspects of their property, along with information about any new sales or listings in their area that they want considered during our detailed process.

Let Two Rivers Appraisals help you sell your home quickly at the right price

A professional appraisal will help you make a more informed decision when determining your selling price, whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what price the house sells for. The price we charge isn't a percentage of the sales price, but rather they are calculated on our efforts to complete the appraisal.

On a daily basis, we determine the difference in value things like an extra bathroom or a kitchen remodel can make. Seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted 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 stay on the market.