Home Measurement Some of the most common questions I get from real estate agents center around home measurement. Do we measure on the interior? What about individual rooms? How are basements or guest houses counted? There is a lot of misunderstanding of the process, and having bad information can cause problems in a real estate […]
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Zillow Faces Lawsuits
Zillow Faces Lawsuits: According to an article in Crain’s Chicago Business, Zillow is under fire for misleading estimates on homes in Illinois. The homeowners claim that the inaccurately low values misleads potential buyers, who take the estimates as appraisals, even if Zillow claims they are not. Further, some sellers argue that a low estimate from […]
Appraisal Myths
Over at Realtor.com there is an interesting article about Appraisal Myths. Helping sellers (and buyers) understand what the appraisal is (and isn’t) can make your transactions go more smoothly. Read on: http://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/home-appraisal-myths
Are You Adding Value to Your Home?
Are You Adding Value to Your Home? This is an interesting read over at Investopedia about home improvements. Not all home improvements are adding value to your home. If your goal is a good return on investment, you may want to consider avoiding these six common home improvements. Read the article: Investopedia: 6 Things You Think […]
Is Dodd-Frank Soon to Go???
Big changes could be coming for the appraisal industry. Check out the latest from appraisersblog: Check out the post: click here.
Cost vs Value 2017
Cost vs Value 2017 One of the most frequent questions I get from home owners is about remodeling. “How much will value will be added to my home if I remodel the kitchen?” (or bath, or basement, etc.). The folks over at Remodeling Magazine publish an annual survey of Cost vs Value which estimates the […]
The Influence of Appraisal Management Companies
AMCs and the Appraisal Process There is an interesting article on www.appraiserblogs.com today regarding the influence Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) have on the appraisal process. AMCs control the setting of fees and payment schedules. They determine which appraisers are chosen for which assignments. Some even go as far as to determine what is included the reports. […]
Realtors ARE allowed to talk to Appraisers! And should…
I hear this regularly from Realtors: “We aren’t allowed to talk to the appraiser anymore.” This is something that comes up quite a lot in my day-to-day interactions with Realtors, and it simply IS NOT TRUE! As an appraiser, I welcome any assistance I can get when completing an appraisal. Realtors tend to know a […]
Home Appraisal Terms to Know
A learning curve comes with any new challenge or endeavor. Over the years we’ve noticed that there are terms that new homeowners may need to spend a moment studying. If you’re a homeowner or a seasoned real estate agent, appraisers are your go-to helpers and guides for some of the first steps in the appraisal […]
Home Appraisal and Estate Appraisal Defined
Defining terms in an argument, conversation, or document is essential. As is defining industry and appraisal terms! Today let’s take a look at two appraisal terms that sound similar, but, are not directly related. Estate or Date of Death Appraisal A trying task often necessary in responding to the life changing effects of the loss […]