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 […]
appraisal
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 […]
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 […]
Appraisal for all Life Circumstances
The appraisal industry reaches out and meets individuals in the midst of various momentous life phases. As a relational industry it flows into many personal life moments. Quality appraisal might even be the element that guides and informs your plan of action, in many of the trenches or deep woods of life. We’ve grouped […]