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.
The Massachusetts Real Estate Market
Appraisers often swap stories. One thing that caught my ear recently was a conversation a member of our Boston, Massachusetts appraisal team was having with another appraiser. He was giving the other appraiser a take on the latest with the Massachusetts real estate market. I thought they were having a great dialogue. After all, why should appraisers keep the scoop to themselves? Maybe it's time to update the readers out there about what's new in the home of the Red Sox, the best New England clam chowder, baked beans, Cheers and of course, some of the best colleges our country has
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
Are Free Home Appraisals A Good Way To Determine A Home’s Value?
There are tons of websites that provide free home appraisals. It sounds like a great idea, right? A free house appraisal? Stop right there. Sometimes, you really get what you pay for, and with a free home appraisal, you get nothing. Here's why: Home appraisal and valuation sites that offer "free" or "instant" services are a dime a dozen on the internet. This seems like a good value -- after all, it's free and it's instant. Getting the true market value estimate of your home never works that way. What these websites offer is actually an inaccurate value for the
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
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
The Types Of Values Sought With An Appraisal
A real estate appraisal develops an opinion on the value of a property. Most often, the use is to determine the market value of a home for a buyer and seller. However, because no two properties are alike and they may serve different needs such as a commercial space versus a home, there are different types of values sought with an appraisal. In order to determine what type of value you seek with your appraisal, take a look at some of the varying types. Some of the most common include: Market Value – This is the estimated value for which a property could exchange between a buyer
The What, How And Why Of A Bankruptcy Appraisal
If you are filing for bankruptcy, getting a bankruptcy appraisal may be one of the most important things you do. Filing for bankruptcy as a means to control of your finances is a difficult, yet sometimes necessary procedure. When you file, you must provide the court with transparent records of your income, debt and any other financial affiliations. While gathering current bills, collections statements and bank statements may not be so complicated, providing the value of your home is trickier. There are several types of bankruptcy filings. Briefly, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stipulates that the debtor prepare a repayment plan with creditors, and a Chapter 7 states that
Reasons For Getting A Home Appraisal
Most people think that the only reason to get a home appraisal is because they are refinancing or financing a purchase of a home. There are actually a host of other reasons too. An appraiser is always a valuable third party correspondent in many other circumstances. Here are some examples where an appraisal may come in handy: Selling or Buying(Without Financing): This is one of the most common requests. Get an unbiased opinion of value from a certified appraiser who values homes for a living and does not have an interest in your home appraising too high or too low. Realtors do
Are Two Appraisals Needed During A Divorce?
The answer really depends on your individual situation. What most of our clients do is just order one appraisal when divorce proceedings are getting close. If the husband and wife can agree on the value then there is no need for a second appraisal. In cases where they can not agree on the value, the husband or wife order a second independent appraisal from a different appraiser and agree on a value in-between the two appraisals. Another reason why you might need two appraisals in a divorce is if you had an appraisal completed when first considering to get divorced and
