While most people don’t want to think about estate planning, it is one way to make sure all your affairs are in order for you and your loved ones. There are many different ways to approach this process, and your estate plan should be tailored to meet your unique situation and goals. However, one thing that most estate plans have in common is an appraisal performed by an independent appraiser who has expertise in valuing real property. What is Estate Planning? Estate planning is creating legal documents to guide your estate. It’s an essential part of life that can help you avoid probate and ..read more

Do you currently pay mortgage insurance, and your principal balance is less than 80% of your original purchase price? As a residential real estate appraisal firm, we have partnered with a mortgage lender to remove homeowner’s PMI for over 20 years. Join us as we walk through what PMI is and how removing it cuts down your mortgage payments.  What Is PMI? Let’s begin by defining PMI. PMI stands for private mortgage insurance. Each month, PMI adds money to your mortgage payment. This added amount does not benefit you but directly benefits your mortgage lender. Each month you pay the premiu ..read more

There’s never a good time to think about what happens to an estate after one’s death. Many do not begin planning until it’s too late. Instead of grieving, relatives and friends are forced to deal with their loved ones’ estate. In order to not leave heart broken family and friends in charge of dealing with an estate, consider starting the process early. It may not be as difficult as you think.  The process involves many different steps, including designating a beneficiary, establishing your directives, and inventorying your personal belongings. In order to inventory your belongings, apprai ..read more

As we settle into the new year, it’s important to reflect on the previous year and understand what lies ahead. So, what exactly lies ahead for the real estate market in 2023? Though there are many speculations and misconceptions floating around, we are still very much in a seller’s market, and demand continues to remain high. While we continue to see high prices on homes, it’s important to note that the housing market has begun to stabilize over the past 6 to 8 months.  This article will highlight what took place in 2022, glean some insight into 2023 within the housing market, and how a h ..read more

A home appraisal is an unbiased assessment by a professional. Appraisers, like any experts, need the right tools to get the most accurate report for their clients. What homeowners need to understand is that they hold many of these tools, in fact, some of the most essential ones, and are key to an appraisal. It also avoids delays, as pulling documents or doing state-required safety measures after the fact will slow the turnaround time of an appraisal. Something that is never favorable when a homeowner is looking to refinance or sell with a looming deadline. Let’s Unpack What Homeowners Have at ..read more

An appraisal may seem like an extensive process, but don’t worry. We make it easy! From estate planning to PMI removal we are your go to appraisers. With over 20 years of experience we make the process as easy as possible in a quick and timely manner. It may be intimidating if you don’t know what to expect so join us as we explain what to expect and how to prepare.      What to Expect When an appraiser comes to your home, be prepared for them to inspect everything. While we won’t go through your underwear drawers, we will go through everything that contributes to the s ..read more

You might be still paying a great deal of money for a line item you took on when you bought your home called Private Mortgage Insurance. Normally it’s great to be insured, but this is not true in any way with PMI because the “private” party benefiting from this insurance is the bank, never the homeowner. Don’t feel alone, about 18% of homeowners have taken on PMI payments when they purchase the home because their down payment wasn’t quite large enough. These payments cost homeowners “between 0.5 and 1.5% of the loan amount on average each year — or between $30 and $70 monthly per $100,000 borr ..read more

Finding a great appraiser requires knowing just what to look for in this critical role in purchasing a house. Unfortunately, it can be a bit confusing for many homebuyers. Most people aren’t quite sure what all is essential for a qualified home appraiser to get the job done. Buyers just know the clock is ticking once that offer has been made, and they need to find an expert, now! The appraiser’s job is more than just assigning a dollar amount to the home and it takes a skilled pro to make sure it all goes perfectly.  The first and maybe most important thing to look for might be when you f ..read more

The housing market in California is at an all-time high. That’s where a home appraisal comes in. There are many reasons you may want to get your home value appraised in this current market. Whether it is for a Tax Assessment, Estate Planning, or even the removal of PMI from your mortgage, we at DVS Appraisals can help.  1. Estate Planning Planning for what happens to your estate when you pass is never easy. To add to the stress, a current appraisal is often needed to complete the process. Having a firm understanding of the value of your property will allow for an easier time inapprop ..read more