Welcome to Houlihan and Associates. Every year, countless people in the United States buy, sell, or refinance their slice of the American Dream. Most, if not all, of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. It has become an understood and accepted part of a real estate transaction. ''Let's bring in the expert and ensure we're not spending too much on this property.'' But is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other times when the services of a certified, licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy?