Appraisal Technology: How It Benefits You!
The tools of the appraisal trade have drastically changed. One of the biggest changes new technology has brought on is how everyone, including lenders and homeowners, now have quick access to appraisal information. Here's how appraisers are using new technology and how that benefits you.
Low Real Estate Appraisal? Here’s What To Do
As the real estate market continues to grow, more home buyers and sellers are coming across a common issue: An appraisal that is too low! After all, valuations must be based on recent comparable sales, or "comps," and in some cases the rising rate of home sales does not match the rates of homes sold previously. In this article, I'll cover what to do if you get a low appraisal. But first, you need to ask why? Why is the appraisal lower than your expectations? This may have occured because as home rates continue to recover from the housing crisis of
Celebrity Real Estate Update: Celeb-To-Celeb Sales
In my previous coverage of celebrity real estate, I spoke about buying homes at a premium price because the home may have a famous former owner. This week, after reading an intriguing article in the Hollywood Reporter about how celebrities sell homes to other celebrities, I decided to do a celebrity real estate update to address a niche market: Celeb-to-celeb sales. The article discusses how celebs love selling to other celebs. There are plenty of reasons as to why. For example, celebrities have special security needs like high walls and intricate alarm systems. Further, there are personal needs like gigantic walk-in closets and plenty
Washington D.C. Real Estate: Supply And Demand
Washington D.C. is a cultural and historical mecca. Having dozens of great neighborhoods a Metro ride away and a bustling political and business climate keeps the D.C. real estate market competitive. It's no wonder people flock there to live and work. As appraisers, our team is constantly in and out of so many Washington D.C. neighborhoods and homes; this familiarity that has led to a great understanding of the trends and home sales averages of the Washington D.C. real estate market. When a client wanted our take on Washington's priciest neighborhoods to buy a home, we used this list to answer some questions.
Why Overpriced Homes Don’t Sell
Every neighborhood has that one home with a "for sale" sign on the lawn that's been standing there for several months. The home has been there for so long that even folks who go to every open house have seen it. Admit it, now you're starting to worry. You think to yourself, "If this home, which is well-kept and modern, isn't selling, does this mean that my home won't sell when I'm ready?" There's a reason why that home isn't selling and it's not what you think. What's the cause? Well, that home is probably overpriced. The seller set the
What Happens At The Bank When An Appraisal Request Is Made For A Loan?
You have found the home of your dreams, congratulations! The paper work has been obtained and you're hoping for a closing date soon. Your next step should be to get an appraisal in order to understand the true value of your new home, and to get a loan from the bank. So what happens when a bank requests an appraisal for a loan? The majority of real estate appraisals are requested by mortgage companies to determine the property's purchase price for a loan. The appraiser is your safety net against spending more on your home than it’s really worth. It’s also a safety
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
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
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 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
