Learn To Earn: The Best Appraisal Books Out There
The real estate appraisal profession is one that requires a good base of knowledge regarding home sales, real estate procedures and other useful bits of information. So, whether you are an agent, a real estate appraisal apprentice or a homeowner or seller who wants to learn about the field in an in depth manner, consider one our book selections for the best appraisal books out there to learn about the ins-and-outs of the business. Here they are, in no particular order: 1. Fundamentals of Real Estate Appraisal by William L. Ventolo, Martha R. Williams. Here's an Amazon review of the book by a reader: I
The 2013 Real Estate Market
It seems like 2012 came and went so quickly. Was this a good year or a challenging year for you? Let's take a look at the 2012 real estate market and the 2013 real estate market and make some predictions for the year to come! The National Association of Realtors reported that home sales were up 5.9 percent for the month of November and that sales are on track for a five year high. This is great news because it means that sales are up from last year. However, most appraisers and agents say that the market has some ways to go. Buyers
Top Celebrity Real Estate Deals of 2012
Celebrity homes come and go on the real estate market. One day, a big name comedian owns a mansion and the next day, a rising starlet is the new proud owner. This isn't news in Hollywood, but as New Years Eve of 2013 approaches take a look at some of the biggest celebrity real estate deals of 2012. 1. Joan Rivers' NYC penthouse apartment is going $29.5 million. The 5,190-square-foot apartment is located on the Upper East Side. It's got four bedrooms and five baths. It also features a private elevator entry hall, two wood-burning fireplaces, 23-foot ceilings, a large corner library and a formal
Can You Negotiate The Appraised Value?
The thrill of negotiating or bargaining a sales price appeals to many of us. Once, on a vacation with my family in Barbados, we spent time bargaining with local salesmen on antiques. This was, of course, a big part of the fun. When it comes to appraisals, I've heard people ask if there is any room for negotiating, as in when a home sells and the seller and buyer negotiate certain terms. The short answer is not really, but here are some options for the longer answer: If the home buyer and seller agree on a price, can the appraiser appraise it lower or higher
Determining Real Estate Value During Divorce
As far as divorce proceedings go, for most couples, the home is a major shared asset. The first step in dealing with the splitting of assets is to determine the real estate value during divorce. Use An Appraiser An appraiser is the best way to help determine the value of your assets. They are better trained in this situation than a Realtor. Further, a tax assessment value is not actually an accurate method of determining value. Understanding The Difference Between Marital And Non-Marital Equity There are classifications of assets. Some get divided during a divorce and others don't. This is determined mainly
The Latest In Celebrity Real Estate
Like celebrity marriages, celebrity real estate changes hands so frequently that it is often impossible to keep up. Lucky for you, we have rounded up this month's biggest sales and real estate news in Tinseltown-- which now stretches all throughout the world! Michael Jackson's Final Home Sold for $18.1M Michael Jackson's death shocked the world. Now, the home in which he lived his last days (and died in) has just been bought for a $18.1 million. Yet, the most shocking detail of this sale is that the original asking price was $38.5 million. The 17,000-square-foot home boasts seven bedrooms and thirteen bathrooms. It's
Crazy Appraisal Stories From The Front Lines!
The home appraisal profession is not often considered a dangerous job. Most appraisers can be in and out of a client's home within just a few hours. Other than a messy house, the work usually goes off without a hitch. Well, if that's been your experience, consider yourself lucky because we've decided to gather some of the most hilarious and totally off-the-wall stories we've ever heard in the business. If you've got stories to share, go ahead and email us and we'll compile another post dedicated to crazy appraisal stories. Home Appraisal In Anchorage, Alaska Goes Wild Many years ago,
Why Appraisal Reports Have Flood Maps
The devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy is going to cost the government billions. From restoring power to rescheduling most major flights, not to mention the personal loss of people's homes and belongings -- all this is a big undertaking. Many residents of homes in flood prone zones don’t always take the necessary precautions when it comes to living in a high-risk home. Of course, no one wants to consider the worst, but as we have all seen, floods are a real threat. So going forward, especially for home owners in coastal regions, what can home buyers and sellers do
The Five Craziest Homes Ever
We usually stick to the "normal" homes when we consider buying, selling and appraising properties. However, this week we couldn't help but think about some of the marvels that humans have constructed and lived in. Some of these homes are priceless, simply because the architects that designed them are massive figures in the history of art. Others are so unbelievable that is hard to imagine anyone actually living in them! We thought we'd bring them to you so you could take a look at the five craziest homes ever. Can you take a wild guess as to home we would appraise
The Secret Of A 48-Hour Home Appraisal Makeover
We love success stories for home buyers and sellers. When someone gets a low figure for their home and finds ways to fix up some of the issues and sell for a better rate, we are overjoyed. The housing market is confusing enough as it is, so when we hear good news we share it. A recent ABC News report stated that the housing market median home prices have risen since last July. This is great news for the millions of U.S. citizens with their homes on the market. The better news is that the program also offered a 48-hour
