Lattimore & Associates in New Orleans are hired for diverse purposes

Each year, thousands of people in Louisiana buy, sell or refinance their home. A lot of these transactions have a simple line item for an appraisal. And while there are a developing number of automated home valuation methods that may appear to be cheaper than an appraisal, most lenders still need a local expert because the stakes are so high. But is getting a mortgage the only basis for getting an appraisal? Are there additional cases when the services of a licensed, independent real estate professional might be beneficial? Of course there are.


	For real estate appraisals in Metro New Orleans and Orleans Parish, it's easiest when your order online from Lattimore & Associates, just click here.

Dispute your tax assessment in Orleans Parish and Metro New Orleans

If you reside in an area where property values have declined, it's possible you're paying too much in property taxes. When building your case, an appraisal from Lattimore & Associates is your best evidence. At Lattimore & Associates, we're capable of assisting you in challenging your tax assessment.

Let Lattimore & Associates help you lower your mortgage payment

Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is an added insurance plan that many lenders ask homeowners to purchase when the amount being loaned to the home owner is more than 80% of the actual value of the real estate. Since the added payment is usually folded into the monthly mortgage payment, it is often forgotten. PMI isn't necessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal pay down - decreases below the 80% mark, making this very unfavorable. In fact, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998 was approved by the United States Congress requiring lenders to dismiss the PMI installments on most mortgages when the balance is paid down to 78% of the original value.

If you'd like to get rid of PMI, Lattimore & Associates can provide you with a statement regarding the value of your home. The expense of the appraisal can generally be offset in little time because you'll no longer be paying the PMI.

Divorce settlement with less stress

A divorce can be a very daunting event for both parties, and it is often further complicated by the burdensome decision of who gets the home. It's a good idea to get an appraisal from Lattimore & Associates so both parties are completely aware of the true market value of their house, regardless of the circumstances.

The parties will have a better 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 gotten a fair evaluation.

Settling an estate with peace of mind

The loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life, and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often entails 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 handle 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 leave knowing they've received a fair deal.

Lattimore & Associates can help you with relocating to or from Metro New Orleans

Moving due to a job change is a real pain. We know where you're coming from! That being said, we take great care in setting up an accommodating appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our detailed process, we suggest employees that are moving to provide feedback on the positive features of their property, as well as information regarding any new sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.

Sell your home quickly at the right price with an appraisal from Lattimore & Associates

Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal will help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our fees are calculated on 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 houses stay on the market. So, getting a professional appraisal is a reliable way to determine what improvements will add value and what a suitable sales price is for your home so you don't come up short or have your house on the market an unnecessarily long time.