Nothing is more disheartening than receiving word that you have been declined!  That’s time energy and money out the window.  Three reasons to  know your home value before you apply: * According to a 2010 annual government report, 35% of all mortgage/refine applications are denied * Guess who paid the $300-500 for that appraisal whether the loan is approved or not?  You guessed it… the borrower, you! * Doesn’t it make sense to spend $19 for a Certified Property Valuator to provide an accurate valuation of your home before you …

While Zillow may be a place to start when determining a home’s value (called a Zestimate) it is not a good place to end!  Consider their own most recent statistics from June 15, 2011 for the San Francisco Bay Area: * Their median error on all Bay Area home appraisals is 7.2%.  That’s almost $40,000 off on a $500,000 home * Two-thirds of their home appraisals in the Bay Area are off by more than 10% * One-fifth of all “Zestimates” are off by a whopping 20% By simply averaging …

1) The National Taxpayers Union estimate that up to 60% of properties in Alameda and Contra Costa County are over-assessed.  That is the County has placed a value on your home (thus tax) that is greater than the value of similar homes in your neighborhood that have recently sold. 2) Property Taxes in all but four cities in Alameda County actually went up in 2011-12. 3) Less than 5% of home owners appeal their property taxes, about two-thirds win their appeals. 4) Even a small reduction in your home’s assessment …