Buyers, Sellers, Realtors, Banks, do you REALLY understand the value of a good appraisal? - 10/31/09 09:03 AM
 

Let's first define good shall we? Good does NOT mean make the number work so the loan will close!
BEFORE you take out your next loan......do some checking into the BANK first, do they use appraisers whose fees have been cut in half? Do they use Appraisal Management Companies (they normally pay appraisers well less than their normal fee and charge the banks more than we would).
Appraisers sole mission in life is to protect the BANK's RISK where a loan is involved. We also protect buyers and sellers by analyzing and reporting the REAL market value so that you do not … (0 comments)

HUD needs to define normal appraiser fees for FHA appraisals before AMC's do! - 10/31/09 08:25 AM
HUD has stated that in addition to adopting HVCC language, that appraisers should be paid their normal market fees for FHA appraisal products.
Well after my discussion with a well known. long standing Appraisal Management Company who most appraisers know as they have been around forever, here are their exact words to me as of yesterday "
"The new national debate will be over exactly what is "normal", and as I understand it, that is a question that will be answered market by market. "
This same Company also tells all appraisers that Appraisers set their own fees, they have control over their … (41 comments)

Realtors you CAN take control of the Appraisal Process and HVCC by doing just one thing! - 10/26/09 04:49 PM
Realtors you have more control than you realize in this business or maybe you already know this....

 
With all the complaints about appraisals killing deals and coming in low and in turn keeping the real estate market depressed, here is ONE single thing you can do to try to make an impact in your business.
I know that many of you recommend mortgage brokers or Banks to your clients, well when you do, find out via the broker or directly from the BANK if they use AMC's (Appraisal Management Companies). There are still plenty of Lenders who do NOT use AMC's. A few … (2 comments)

Rainmaker Mary Thompson to be interviewed by The Weather Channel. - 10/20/09 12:02 PM
Is it okay? Can I toot my own horn please???  Airing tonight 10/21/09 on Their Evening Edition. Tune in  if you wish!
 
 
Marina at full pool! What a difference, beaches and sand bars could be seen from this location last year!
 

Last October I was interveiwed by The Weather Channel due to our severe drought and how that would impact Real Estate Values. It was not a pretty picture as we were 18 feet below full pool at that time.I contacted The Weather Channel last week when we hit full pool to tell them the good news (we rose … (3 comments)

Lake and Waterfront Appraisers, Realtors. take advantage of your Expertise and HVCC - 10/12/09 08:55 AM
Since the inception of the HVCC in May, one thing has become clear, AMC's (Appraisal Management Companies and Banks are starting to require expertise, experience and closer proximity to the subject property  being appraised.
Why? Because Realtors, Buyers, Sellers and Mortgage Brokers are demanding this! So if you are an appraiser who specializes in Lake or Waterfront Property Appraisals, capitalize on your expertise by getting listed where Banks and AMC's WILL find you from across the Country... www.lakefrontappraiser.com  REALTORS welcome here too. www.lakefrontpros.com I know what you appraisers are thinking.....because I too am getting emails every day practically to join a new appraiser directory, … (0 comments)

I want to know what my home is worth but dont want to pay for that appraisal! - 10/02/09 01:40 PM
As an appraiser, I really get mad when a Loan Officer,  Realtor, Buyer or Seller calls and says, hey can you just run some numbers and see how much a home is worth cause I don't want to have to pay for an appraisal if the deal wont work!! In other words....I want YOU to work for:

Well finding out what your home is worth....is WORTH something! Your deal may not work, but now you know the current value of your home and can move forward from there. In order to have this valuable information, YES, you have to pay for an appraisal. No professional … (4 comments)

RIO TO GET 2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS, CHICAGO ELIMINATED FIRST - 10/02/09 01:19 PM
As a fellow Chicagoan transplanted to Georgia I am bummed that the 2016 Olympics will not be hosted by Chicago. Would have been a good reason to go back home for vacation that summer. But hey Chi Town cannot compete with RIO when it comes to BEAUTY!!!

Chicago was eliminated on the first round of votes! So Obama's pitch did not seem to do the trick. In one way I am glad of that, he might get a big head about somehow convincing the Olympic committee to do as he says. I mean he is pretty used to having things … (1 comments)