Estate Appraisal

Estate Or Probate Appraisals

Settling an estate is an important and sometimes stressful job. As an executor you have been entrusted to carry out the wishes of the deceased as swiftly and exactly as possible. You can count on us to act quickly and with sensitivity to the feelings of everyone involved.

Attorneys and Accountants rely on our values when calculating real property values for estates, divorces, or other disputes requiring a value being placed on real property. We understand their needs and are used to dealing with all parties involved. We provide appraisal reports that meet the requirements of the courts and various agencies.

Settling an estate usually requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. Often, the date of death differs from the date the appraisal is requested. We are familiar with the procedures and requirements necessary to perform a retroactive appraisal with an effective date and Fair Market Value estimate matching the date of death. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.

All too often, people do not fully appreciate the need to have a detailed real estate appraisal prepared in support of the numbers being used in documents filed with revenue authorities.

Opinions of value used in documents filed with the revenue authorities should be supported by a detailed report as to how the appraiser arrived at his conclusions. Such a report will certainly demonstrate to the authorities that the numbers used are well founded and substantiated.

Having a professional appraisal gives the executor solid facts and figures to work with in meeting IRS and state agency requirements. It assures peace of mind to everyone concerned because we are there to stand behind the appraisal if it is challenged.

WARNING!

HVCC & YOU!

On May 1, 2009 the HVCC was initiated throughout the Country on every mortgage transaction that involves an appraisal that is sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This involves all conventional loans which prior to the present meltdown was approximately 70% of all lending. With the banking system crippled, conventional loans seized up and nearly came to a halt. Presently, the conventional mortgage market is still trying to get back on its feet albeit very slowly and cautiously. Then there is the HVCC.

The HVCC came about due to pressure put on an appraisal management company called eAppraiseIT by a large mortgage lender Washington Mutual in the State of New York. The Attorney General of New York created the HVCC. To stay out of litigation (even though not directly involved), the appellant in the case (The State of New York) arranged to have Fannie Mae (FNMA) sign an agreement that all loans placed through FNMA & Freddie Mac would have to adhere to this new HVCC.

“We knew this was causing extreme hardship to the industry, but we didn’t expect to get thousands of horror stories from would-be homebuyers whose dreams have been dashed by this well-intended, but misguided policy. Every day thousands of people are getting the rug yanked out from under them in their quest to become homeowners because of HVCC. You only need to go to our petition website to read the stories for yourself,” said Kearns.