PMI Removal
Appraisals completed for individuals who qualify to be released from the expense of private mortgage insurance.

Trust and Estate Valuation
Appraisals to establish value as of the date of death of a home owner for estate tax purposes.

Expert Witness
Appraisals leading to a relationship as an expert witness to establish loss in the case of damage or valuation of a property in divorce proceedings.

Purchase or Sale
Many prudent sellers wish to have an appraised value prior to placing a property on the market. Buyers often obtain an appraisal prior to making a bid on a home.

Tax Complaints
Assessors tend to accept the work of appraisers in establishing values in tax complaint situations.  It is not unusual that there are errors of fact in the tax records which can be corrected based on information contained in an appraisal.  This may lower real estate taxes.

Conservation Easements
Many Illinois residents with large estates have recognized the tax advantage of granting a conservation easement on the undeveloped land around their home.  Often the land owner continues to have the right to the exclusive use of the land although the land's development is limited after the easement has been granted.  Such I.R.S. qualified charitable gifts must be appraised in strict conformity with the regulations of the I.R.S.

Mortgage Valuation
Bank and other financial institutions are required by bank regulation to order appraisals which establish value for mortgage loan purposes.