Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Listing Appraisals in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and Island Counties WA


A listing appraisal supports your asking price

If you’re selling your home, how can you be sure the asking price is accurate? Did you take the advice of a real estate agent, ask around in the neighborhood, or even check the most current tax assessment? While all of these methods can be helpful, the only true way to know is to get a listing appraisal. A listing appraisal from Bennett Appraisals is a full appraisal of your property similar to one a buyer would receive on the purchase of your home, but with a few additional benefits for you:

You’ll have a valuable negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer

You’ll make yourself aware of any problems and eliminate last-minute repair hassles that might delay a closing.

Decrease the chances of unknown problems that cause sales to fall through

You'll have all the current market data with verified status of all the comparable sales so you can differentiate your property from other properties on the market And a listing appraisal from Bennett Appraisals gives you an expert opinion, an opinion that is unbiased, from a certified residential appraisal team like us. Our only job is providing customers with accurate property values. Banks and mortgage companies always use appraisers to value homes before they approve a loan. Why? Because they want to know what it’s worth.
Call us at (360) 746-0224 or visit our website at http://www.bennett4appraisals.com to learn more about our company and to place your order online. We look forward to doing business with you.
To order an appraisal online click here: http://www.bennett4appraisals.com/ClientLogin
Bennett Appraisals
1 Woodrush Ct
Bellingham, WA 98229
360-746-0224

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Estate Appraisals/ Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish & Island Counties, WA






Call Bennett Appraisals.

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.

Bennett Appraisals
(360) 746-0224
www.Bennett4Appraisals.com

Private Mortgage Insurance Elimination/ Bennett Appraisals

Are you paying for Private Mortgage Insurance unnecessarily?

PMI, also known as Private Mortgage Insurance, is a supplemental insurance policy you may pay for to protect your mortgage lender in the event of your default. PMI is provided by private (non-government) companies and is usually required when your loan-to-value ratio - the amount of your mortgage loan divided by the value of your home - is greater than 80 percent. PMI isn't a bad thing - it allows lenders to accept lower down payments on homes than they would normally be comfortable with. But you may be paying it unnecessarily!

How is PMI calculated?

PMI is calculated by your mortgage lender and covers the lender for a percentage they think will make them whole if they have to sell your property in foreclosure. Your PMI premium is fixed based on plan type (loan-to-value ratio, loan type, loan term, etc.) and is not related to your particular credit history or other individual characteristics. PMI typically amounts to about one-half of one percent of your mortgage amount, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the premium payment is usually rolled into your monthly mortgage payment. On a $200,000 mortgage, you may be paying $1,000 per year for PMI.

How can you eliminate your PMI insurance?

For loans made after July 1999, lenders are required by federal law to automatically cancel PMI when the loan balance falls below 78 percent of your purchase price not when you achieve 22 percent equity, which will happen much more quickly with rising property values. (Certain "higher risk" loans are excluded.) But you have the right to cancel PMI (for loans made after July 1999) once your equity reaches 20 percent, irrespective of the original purchase price.
Keep track of your principal payments. And keep track of what other homes are selling for in your neighborhood. If your loan is under five years old, chances are you haven't paid down much principal - it's been mostly interest. But property values in many parts of the country have gone through the roof lately. And that can earn you 20 percent equity even if you haven't paid down much principal.

When you think you've reached 20 percent equity in your home, you can begin the process of freeing yourself from PMI payments! You will need to notify your mortgage lender that you want to cancel PMI payments and you'll need to submit proof that you have at least 20 percent equity. A state certified appraisal on the appropriate form (URAR uniform residential appraisal report for single family homes) is the best proof there is - and most lenders require one before they'll cancel PMI.

We can help you eliminate PMI!

If you think you've got at least 20 percent equity in your home by now, you can call or send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to schedule an appointment to appraise your home. If you'd like more information about the appraisal process, or if you'd like to order an appraisal for your property to see if you can eliminate your PMI insurance, please visit our website at


Or you can always contact us at the e-mail address or the phone number below. Don't delay! If you can avoid paying hundreds of dollars a year to insure someone else's risk, it's worth starting right away.

Bennett Appraisals
1 Woodrush CourtBellingham, WA 98229
(360) 746-0224 (360) 990-7296
bennettappraisals@comcast.net
http://www.bennett4appraisals.com/?CertContactID=0&CampElementID=0

FHA Approved Appraisal Services









Bennett Appraisals is on the FHA Roster of approved residential appraisers in Washington State. That means we're approved to do appraisals for FHA loans. Our certified residential appraisal team is trained on the rules and procedures in FHA's guidance and policy documents. We've met FHA's eligibility requirements and FHA has approved us to do appraisals for FHA insured loans. Remember, the FHA is different from the VA appraiser panel in that the lender can choose the appraiser.We provide residential appraisal services to all of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and Island Counties (including the Point Roberts WA area via the Canadian Border). If you're in need of an appraisal for an FHA loan, please contact us and we'll be able to help you right away.


Bennett Appraisals
(360) 746-0224
bennettappraisals@comcast.net
Website: http://www.bennett4appraisals.com/

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, Acme, Anacortes, Alger, Arlington, Bow, Burlington, Camano Island, Cain Lakes, Conway, Concrete, Darrington, Deming, Edison, Emerald Lakes, Edmonds, Everett, Everson, Glacier, Granite Falls, Hamilton, Kendall, Laurence, La Conner, Lake Stevens, Lynden, Lyman, Lynnwood, Maple Falls, Marblemount, Marysville, McMurray, Monroe, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Mulkilteo, Rockport, Samish Island, Sedro Woolley, Snohomish, Stanwood,Van Zandt, Whidbey Island, and all of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish & Island Counties. * Time permitted we also serve Point Roberts via the Canadian Border