There are lots of reasons consumers call on Lindau & Associates

Every year, thousands of people in Wisconsin purchase, sell or refinance their home. Many of these transactions involve a simple line item for an appraisal. Even though there are an increasing number of automated home valuation systems that may appear to be more cost-effective than an appraisal, the majority of lenders still call in a local expert because the stakes are incredibly high. But is getting a mortgage the only reason you should get an appraisal? Are there also cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional could be helpful? You bet there are.


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Let Lindau & Associates help you dispute your tax assessment in Milwaukee County

It's 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 past assessment of your real estate, 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 Lindau & Associates is your best evidence. At Lindau & Associates, we're equipped to assist you in challenging your tax assessment.

Let Lindau & Associates assist you in lowering your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that nearly all lenders ask homebuyers to purchase when the amount being loaned to the buyer is more than 80% of the actual value of the property. More often than not, this added payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is promptly forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the leftover balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - goes below the 80% level, making this very unfortunate. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was passed by the United States Congress that requires lenders to eliminate the PMI payments when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to do away with PMI, Lindau & Associates can give you a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the home valuation can often be recovered in just a few months because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

An appraisal from Lindau & Associates will help you settle a divorce with less stress

A divorce is an especially daunting event for the parties involved, and it is often even more complicated by the challenging decision of who maintains the property. Regardless of the situation, it's prudent to order an appraisal from Lindau & Associates so both parties are fully aware of the true market value of their house.

The parties will have a good idea of what price to set, if they want to sell the home. 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 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 ensure the maximum 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 take care of these affairs, unlike many wealthy individuals. A home or other property often makes up a disproportionate 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 received a fair deal.

Let Lindau & Associates assist you in relocating to or from Milwaukee County

Moving due to a job change is a stressful event. We know where you're coming from. That's why we take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. We encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive aspects of their property, as well as information about any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered during our thorough process.

Selling your home quickly at the right price

Whether you decide to sell your home on your own or with the help of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. 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 based on our efforts to perform the appraisal report and not a percentage of the sales price.

We analyze 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 stay on the market. So, seeking a professional appraisal is a trusted 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 too long, costing you time and money.