Attention homeowners: Need an appraisal?

See the top reasons homeowners use B. Russell Valuation:

  1. Find the right listing price (whether they're selling the home on their own or using a real estate agent)
  2. To challenge a MN property tax assessment
  3. Remove PMI to lower a mortgage payment
  4. Reinstate their Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
  5. To review a different appraiser's report for verification
  6. In the case of a MN divorce, when real estate property needs to be divided
  7. Settle an estate in MN by determining the true market value of property in question

Own a home in Minnesota and need help deciding the value of it?
Contact B. Russell Valuation

We at B. Russell Valuation understand the unique needs of a consumer looking for appraisal services. While our usual clients understand the appraisal process and standard reporting formats, you as a consumer will get an extra level of customer service in the form of an explanation of the process and even special consumer-friendly reporting forms if the assignment allows for them.

For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) / Pre-Listing Services

Since you have an emotional attachment to your own home, it's often very hard to be objective about it. Professional appraisers, like the ones at B. Russell Valuation, LLC, are objective. We'll tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear. A professional appraisal is a crucial negotiating tool once you have an attainable buyer, in addition to helping you set a realistic price to sell at so your house will attract interested buyers. The appraisal is something tangible to show your buyer. It's an independent third party's opinion of your home's value, and not just you saying how much you think your house is worth. Interested buyers assume that you have an emotional attachment to your house and will be far more likely to give credibility to a seasoned appraiser's value assessment than yours.

Appraisals to cancel PMI

Getting the PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) removed from your mortgage loan is a preferred way to cut costs for homeowners. Once your mortgage loan is less than 80% of the value of your property, in most cases you can apply to your lender to have the PMI eliminated from your loan, which will make your monthly payments go down. We're seasoned in helping people just like you rid themselves of unneeded PMI insurance.

Challenge a property tax assessment

Your local tax assessor may have your house overvalued if you live in an area that's going down. This only means you are paying higher taxes than you should be paying. Since your property assessment may likely go up again in the next period, the sooner you take care of things like this, the better. Getting an expert appraisal from B. Russell Valuation is your best weapon when challenging your property tax assessment.

HELOC recently frozen?

Your lender might choose to automatically freeze your home equity line of credit (HELOC) if your property is in a declining area -- even if your specific property has not declined in value. This can this be disadvantageous from a cash flow viewpoint, and detrimental to your credit score since it may appear as though that credit line is maxed out. B. Russell Valuation can help you reinstate your HELOC.

We Offer Field and Desktop Appraisal Review Services

Do you need a veteran appraiser to double-check your appraisal for efficiency, or do you want a second opinion without the charge and delay of waiting for a whole new appraisal? We can go out and check the subject and comps in question in a field review. Or, if you need it in a rush, we can provide you with a desk review and verify as many facts as we can using online data sources as well as our own files.

We can also provide a retrospective review of any appraisal you may have had done before. Even though this is usually requested by banks, you may wish to use this service if you suspect mortgage fraud related to your property.