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Property Tax Appeal:

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How a Professional Appraisal Can Help Challenge Your Tax Assessment

Are you shocked by your recent property tax assessment? You’re not alone. Many homeowners face unexpectedly high property tax valuations, but there’s a solution: a professional property tax appeal appraisal.

Why Your Tax Assessment Might Not Be Accurate

County assessors use mass appraisal techniques to value thousands of properties simultaneously. While efficient, this method doesn’t account for your home’s unique features, condition, or specific market position. That’s where professional appraisers make a difference.

The Professional Appraisal Advantage

Unlike mass assessments, a professional appraiser:

  • Physically inspects your property
  • Analyzes specific comparable sales in your neighborhood
  • Documents unique features and improvements
  • Considers property condition and any issues affecting value

What to Expect from a Tax Appeal Appraisal

A professional tax appeal appraisal typically costs around $550 and takes 5-9 business days to complete. The process includes:

  1. On-site property inspection
  2. Detailed market analysis
  3. Comprehensive written report
  4. Supporting documentation for your appeal

Important Considerations

Before ordering an appraisal, understand that the results may show your property value as:

  • Lower than the assessment (supporting an appeal)
  • Equal to the assessment
  • Higher than the assessment

Making an Informed Decision

A professional appraisal provides concrete evidence for your tax appeal. While it requires an upfront investment, the potential long-term tax savings could make it worthwhile.

Next Steps

Contact us today! We can help you understand whether an appeal might be successful in your case.

Southernappraisal@triad.rr.com

336-996-5522

#PropertyTaxes #RealEstate #TaxAppeal #PropertyAppraisal #HomeownerTips #PropertyValue #TaxAssessment #RealEstateAppraisal #PropertyTaxAppeal #HomeValue

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Why Getting a Pre-Sale Home Appraisal is a Smart Move

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Planning to sell your home next year? Understanding your property’s true value in today’s market is the key to making informed decisions. A pre-sale home appraisal provides an unbiased, professional opinion of your home’s worth, setting you up for success as you prepare to list.

As a seasoned residential real estate appraiser with 30 years of experience in the Triad market, I’ve helped countless homeowners navigate the selling process with confidence. Here’s how an appraisal can help you:

  1. Understand the Local Market: Real estate trends shift, and home values in areas like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point are influenced by factors like recent sales, neighborhood developments, and market demand. An appraisal gives you a clear understanding of how these factors impact your home.
  2. Set the Right Price: Overpricing can deter buyers, while underpricing leaves money on the table. An unbiased appraisal ensures you’re positioned to attract buyers and maximize your profit.
  3. Plan Your Next Steps: Whether you’re considering renovations or simply want a realistic timeline for selling, knowing your home’s value helps you plan with confidence.
  4. Build Buyer Confidence: Sharing a professional appraisal with potential buyers demonstrates transparency and adds credibility to your asking price.

Selling a home can feel overwhelming, but with a trusted appraisal, you’ll have the insights you need to move forward. If you’re planning to sell your home in the Triad next year, let’s talk about how a pre-sale appraisal can work for you.

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Why Hiring an Experienced Residential Real Estate Appraiser is Essential for Divorce Settlements in the Triad Market

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When navigating a divorce, dividing assets can be one of the most challenging steps. A home’s value often plays a significant role in the financial settlement, making it critical to have an accurate, unbiased appraisal. If you’re in the Triad area of North Carolina, hiring a seasoned real estate appraiser ensures the process is handled with precision and professionalism.

With over 30 years of experience in the Triad real estate market, I specialize in providing thorough, court-ready appraisals tailored to the unique needs of divorce cases. Here’s why this service is indispensable for separating couples:

  1. Accurate Market Value: A certified appraisal ensures your home’s value reflects current market conditions, removing guesswork and reducing disputes.
  2. Impartial Expertise: As an independent appraiser, I provide an unbiased opinion that both parties can trust, helping avoid unnecessary conflicts.
  3. Court-Ready Reports: My reports comply with industry standards and are prepared to hold up in court or mediation, giving you peace of mind during a stressful time.
  4. Local Knowledge: With decades of experience in the Triad market, I understand the nuances of neighborhoods in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, ensuring a more accurate valuation than general estimates.

Divorce is already complicated, but settling your home’s value doesn’t have to be. An experienced appraiser can make the process smoother, fairer, and less stressful for everyone involved.

If you’re in the Triad area and need a trusted real estate appraiser for a divorce settlement, I’m here to help. Contact me today to schedule your consultation.

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Positive Housing News!

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October existing home sales came in at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 3.96 million, up 2.9% Y-o-Y. This is the first year-over-year increase since 7/21! The rise is a result of very weak sales in 10/23 and lower mortgage rates in August/September when contracts were signed. Sales remain near their lowest level in decades. The best news, inventory is up 19.1% Y-o-Y, and price appreciation was just 4% Y-o-Y.     Elliot F. Eisenberg, Ph.D. www.econ70.com

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Increase Home Value

5 Proven Ways to Increase Home Value

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5-Proven-Ways-to-Increase-Home-Value-story

Some factors that determine what a house is worth are out of your control, like its location and the popularity of that market. But you can keep up with repairs and make smart improvements (both are proven ways to increase home value).
When thinking about how to increase home value, root your expectations in reality. Updates rarely recoup 100% of their cost, but they can make your family more comfortable and even help your home sell faster.
Whether you want to build equity faster or get top dollar when you sell, use the tips below to raise the value of your home.

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I Hope the Appraisal Works Out!

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Keeping up with the “Appraisal”

Waiting on the Appraiser! Will the homes appraisal be correct?

The home is under contract but we’re waiting on the Appraisal! In some home market areas, the demand is outpacing supply. This was especially evident during the spring. All too often, multiple offers above list price coupled with emotional pressure for buyers making offers on several homes only to be outbid and lose the opportunity.

Many sellers receive multiple offers above listing price, causing added pressure to buyers who have been previously outbid.

Throw in a general lack of inventory which has driven the current housing market.

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Things Change…

appraising with a skeleton key

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Skeleton KeyA couple of days ago I used a Skeleton Key to open the front door of a house I was Appraising.  While it  was my first time using one, I have seen them and remember them from my Grandmothers house.  Looking at one today is like looking at a piece of art.  It is uniquely crafted and brings some nostalgia to mind…but is really just part of history and no longer used.

I started associating Appraisals with this key.  In the early 90’s the profession gained traction, became regulated and turned into an integral part of the Real Estate and Mortgage industry.  A couple of housing crisis, a few stock market crashes and the great recession later; the industry is so different.  The basics are the same but the tools and processes have changed.  More is expected.

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That Appraiser Has No Idea…

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You’ve been planning that Screened Porch for a while and finally decided to commit.  You imagine yourself sitting in your comfortable chair right around sunset with the children playing in the yard.  “We will eat out here, talk out here and entertain out here.  This will change everything”!  So you called the bank, agreed to the terms and asked how long before I can have access to my money…and the loan officer just called and said the appraisal came in low…”he was only here for 20 minutes, did he count my gas logs, does she know that house down the street sold for $20,000 more than my house and it is not as nice as mine?  That Appraiser Has No Idea…

And so it goes, an appraiser just told you that your home was worth less than you thought.  There is plenty written on how appraisers do their job and what we go through but I wanted to speak as an appraiser to homeowners everywhere.  What can you do?

Make smart decisions about your lender; are they local, do they have a presence in your area?  Who do they use for appraisals?  Some banks and lenders select appraisers only by two criteria; do they have a license and will they work the cheapest!  A quality lender in your area will use local appraisers who have been “vetted” and qualified.

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