Epoch Appraisals LLC

I took this appraisal and another back to the bank, and the bank still refused to adjust the value as determined by their appraiser. This is no reflection on the wonderful job done by this firm.

Darcie accomodated my schedule and arrived on-time and asked many questions about the property. She then walked through the property, taking measurements and photos. Within one week she provided a detailed multi-page appraisal that served its intended purpose. I would use Epoch Appraisals again without hesitation.

Darcie came on time, performed a thorough and professional examination of our property, and produced a very professional and very detailed multi-page appraisal report within a few days of my initial contact, with three great comparable properties that were based on actual sales of homes very similar to ours. The sales occurred within a few months of the assessment date and were solid evidence that the assessed value of my property was too high. It met the requirements for a market value appeal of assessed value for the Lake County Board of Appeals. I submitted Darcie's appraisal along with the other paperwork required for an appeal on time to the county. I also attended the appeals hearing in person, which I think is important to do. I got a substantial though fair and fully-warranted reduction in my property tax assessment that will more than cover Darcie's fee in savings in property taxes this year alone. The appeals board decision wasn't as low as Darcie's appraised value, but it was much closer to her valuation than to the township assessor's. Note that hiring an appraiser won't work if your property has not been over-assessed, because a licensed appraiser has to make a solid case for over-assessment, and if the comps do not establish this case, you're unlikely to win an appeal. But if your property has in fact been over-assessed, hiring Epoch Appraisals to boost your chances in an appeal is well worth doing.

Everything was done on the phone, the application was free and the entire process took about one month. I was able to stay in my home and avoid foreclosure.

Wonderful. They sent Mindy out within a day. I asked her to just assess the house to let us know the value, not for resale or tax purposes. The report was ready and delivered in 5 days. The county assessor said it was the best appraisal she'd seen in months.