Divorce is hard enough without arguing about what the house is worth. But it happens all the time. One spouse thinks the home is worth three hundred thousand. The other thinks it is worth three hundred fifty thousand. Both have their reasons. Both think they are right. And neither one can prove it.
So what do you do when you cannot agree? This is where Nelson Appraisal Services comes in. We provide a professional, unbiased value that both parties can trust.
Why Do Spouses Disagree?
There are lots of reasons. One spouse might have done more research. One might be more optimistic about the market. One might want to keep the house and is trying to lowball the value. One might want to sell and is trying to push the value higher. Sometimes it is just a gut feeling. Sometimes it is wishful thinking.
Whatever the reason, disagreeing on value creates a roadblock. You cannot settle the divorce until you settle the house.
The Problem with Guessing
When you guess, you argue. You go back and forth. You waste time. You waste money on lawyer fees. You get nowhere.
Guessing also leads to unfair outcomes. If you guess low and one spouse buys the other out based on that number, someone gets a raw deal. If you guess high, the person keeping the house pays too much.
You need a real number. Not a guess.
What Happens If You Cannot Agree?
If you cannot agree on the value, you have a few options. You can each hire your own appraiser and try to meet in the middle. That costs more money and can create more conflict. You can go to court and let a judge decide. That costs even more money and takes a lot of time. Or you can agree to use one professional appraiser and accept their value.
Nelson Appraisal Services provides that professional value. We are neutral. We are not on anyone’s side. We just give you the facts.
How Nelson Appraisal Services Helps
When you call Nelson Appraisal Services, we visit the property. We measure rooms. We inspect the condition. We check the roof, the heating and cooling, the plumbing, and the electrical. We look at upgrades and renovations. We research comparable sales in your area. We find homes similar to yours that have sold recently. We make adjustments for differences.
Then we give you a professional value based on real data. Not emotion. Not wishful thinking. Just facts.
What If One Spouse Still Disagrees?
Sometimes even with a professional appraisal, one spouse still does not agree. It happens. If that is the case, you have a few choices. You can get a second appraisal from another company. You can try to negotiate a compromise. You can let the court decide.
But here is the thing. A professional appraisal carries a lot of weight in court. Judges rely on them. Nelson Appraisal Services provides thorough, defensible reports that hold up under scrutiny.
What Date Is Used for the Appraisal?
This matters. In a divorce, the value often needs to be tied to a specific date. That could be the date of separation. The date the divorce petition was filed. Or a date you both agree on. Talk to your attorney. Nelson Appraisal Services can do a retrospective appraisal that looks back at a specific date if needed.
- Do Not Use the Tax Assessment
Some people look at the county tax assessment and think that is the value. It is not. Tax assessments are for tax purposes, not market value. They can be way off in either direction. Do not use them for your divorce settlement.
- Do Not Use the Zestimate
Zillow estimates are computer guesses. They can be wrong by tens of thousands of dollars. Do not base your divorce settlement on an algorithm. You need a real appraiser.
Why a Professional Appraisal Matters
A professional appraisal takes the emotion out of the equation. It gives you a number both parties can work with. It helps you settle the case faster. It saves you money on legal fees. It helps you move on with your life.
Nelson Appraisal Services provides that professional number. We are experienced, neutral, and thorough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both spouses use the same appraisal?
Yes. One appraisal provides a single value that both parties can reference. This is the best scenario because everyone is working with the same number. It saves money and reduces conflict.
What if one spouse wants to keep the house and the other wants to sell?
The appraisal gives you the value you need to figure out a buyout or a listing price. If one spouse keeps the house, they buy out the other spouse’s share based on the appraised value.
Do both spouses need to be present for the appraisal?
Not necessarily. The appraiser just needs access to the property. One spouse can provide that access. The important thing is that both parties have a chance to ask questions about the process.
How long does a divorce appraisal take?
Most divorce appraisals take about one week from the inspection to the final report. Nelson Appraisal Services works efficiently so you can move forward with your settlement.
Why choose Nelson Appraisal Services for a divorce appraisal?
Nelson Appraisal Services know what attorneys and courts expect. Our team has deep local knowledge. We handle everything with professionalism and discretion.
