alabama: Snowing in Alabama on Christmas Day!
- 12/28/10 09:02 AM
I just wanted to share with everyone the snow we had in the Birmingham, Alabama area on Christmas Day. It may not sound very exciting to many people but this is the first snow we have had on Christmas day in around 45 years! It was enjoyed by all. Hope you enjoy. … (2 comments)
alabama: Real Estate Agents-How To Look Like a Champ In Your Customers Eyes
- 08/03/10 06:32 AM
I know that some of you will say "Why should I get an appraisal when I am an agent and can do my own market analysis?", but there are benefits to the appraisal. My main concern here is with the homeowner who want you to over price their home. When you know that they are asking you to do this, you need to suggest they get an appraisal by an unbiased third party, that way when the home is under contract and the appraisal is the last thing to do before the deal is closed, you don't get the phone call … (2 comments)
alabama: Birmingham Alabama Appraiser : Helena Alabama-Old Cahaba Market Trends-2010 Update
- 06/03/10 02:55 PM
The following data reflects market trends within the Old Cahaba subdivision, located in Helena, Alabama. This is a large development that is located on the Cahaba River. It offers a clubhouse and pool to residents. There are several styles of homes available, with some built on slab foundations and others having basements. Each type of home has its own supply and demand characteristics. I say this to let you know that the data I am providing pertains to 1 and 2 story slab homes, built within the last 10 years. Generally speaking they have 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms … (0 comments)
alabama: Settling a Birmingham, AL Estate: How an Appraisal Can Keep Peace in the Family
- 05/13/10 05:09 PM
Because of the death of a loved one, family members can be faced with making decisions that not all can agree on. Whenever property is left to them they must decide who gets what and this can sometimes result in friction between them. I have seen instances where one family member wants to own and live in the property and the others are fine with that but all are not sure how much money each member should get for their portion of the inheritance. Other times they all agree to sell but still must decide what the property is worth. It … (6 comments)
alabama: BirminghamAppraisalBlog.Com Seeks to Inform Area Residents About Local Real Estate News and Market Conditions
- 04/11/10 09:32 AM
BirminghamAppraisalBlog.com has come online in the past 2 months. My name is Tom Horn and I set up this blog to provide information to homeowners and real estate professionals about relevant real estate news and local market trends. There is a lot going on in today's market and I hope I am able to provide helpful information about our area. I will mainly cover local information, however if it is relevant I will include national news that may have an impact in our area. In addition I will be posting information about market trends for different neighborhoods and subdivisions. I invite … (0 comments)
alabama: Weatherly Property Values Holding Steady
- 06/22/09 01:12 AM
As everyone knows, the national real estate market has been crazy over the past 12-18 months. Because of the collapse of various national financial institutions and its effect on the economy and the real estate market, property values have taken a nose dive. An increase in foreclosure and short sale activity has also taken its toll on the value of most people’s greatest asset: their home. The Alabama real estate market, like all other areas of the country, has also been affected, with some areas being harder hit than others. I’m happy to say that our neighborhood of Weatherly is holding … (3 comments)
alabama: Foreclosures and Declining Property Values-Making It Work For You
- 02/06/09 04:51 AM
It’s an unfortunate but true fact: property values are declining. With the number of foreclosure properties and short sales entering the market, property values have declined in most areas. In the past a foreclosure sale, or other similar sale where the price is lower than normal, would not have been given much consideration because it was not typical in the market. However, because of the sheer number of these types of transactions, as well as the number of properties being offered for sale (i.e.-competitive listings), they must be considered. Prior to the decline, property values increased a great deal because of … (3 comments)
alabama: Top 5 Things A Real Estate Agent Can Do To Help Prepare A Listing For An FHA Appraisal
- 09/15/08 06:19 PM
In recent months FHA financing has been on the increase. With the decline of the sub prime lending market, and related creative financing programs, many lenders have been offering FHA loans to many homeowners for refinancing and home purchases. Current FHA requirements are not as stringent as they once were. If you are interested in the exact requirements you can log on to the HUD website here. The purpose of this article is to provide some helpful tips to realtors when their listings sell with FHA financing. By making sure that the home is ready for the appraisal inspection the entire … (44 comments)
alabama: Building Community in Alabaster, Alabama
- 07/13/08 04:15 PM
I live in Alabaster, Alabama. It’s a great city situated in Shelby County, just south of Birmingham in the northern part of the state. Today I want to spotlight the neighborhood I live in called Weatherly. Weatherly is a modern swim and tennis club development with over 600 home sites. In addition to the swim and tennis club it offers several lakes and a clubhouse. The subdivision offers numerous home styles and home sites, including garden homes, lakefront homes, mountain top homes and estate size lots. With a neighborhood this size it is easy to get lost in the crowd and … (1 comments)
alabama: Things To Consider When Choosing an Appraiser
- 06/27/08 05:17 PM
Are you a homeowner in need of an appraisal? Are you a lender needing to choose an appraiser to do work for your company? If you are, I hope what I have to say can help you in your decision making. All appraisers are not alike. Appraiser experience varies based on several factors, including but not limited to the following: years of experience, amount of education, geographic competence, and familiarity with type of property being appraised. Experience can start with a trainee and extend to the seasoned professional. Appraisers generally start at the trainee level where they work for a licensed … (6 comments)
alabama: A Pre-Listing Appraisal Only Makes Sense-What Do You Think?
- 05/24/08 08:47 AM
People may think that I believe this because I am an appraiser, and the more people that get pre-listing appraisals can only benefit me, but it truly makes sense. I have seen it happen numerous times. A house is selling and everything has been done: contract, title, home inspection, etc. and the last thing is the appraisal. Unfortunately sometimes the value just isn’t there, and the deal falls through. This can be avoided with a pre-listing appraisal which is an appraisal to determine the market value of the home for selling purposes. I see this mostly in FSBO situations, however in … (11 comments)
alabama: Helping Your Home Appraise for Top Dollar
- 05/15/08 11:02 AM
Most people, at some point in their life will probably get a home appraisal. Appraisals are necessary for the following reasons: • Buying a home • Selling a home (either a marketing appraisal or appraisal after contract is signed) • Refinancing a home (either to get a lower rate or to get a home equity loan) • Dropping PMI insurance • Relocation appraisals (if you are being transferred in your job and your company will be buying your home) By planning ahead it is possible to present your home in the best possible light in order to get the highest value … (5 comments)
Author Bio: Tom Horn lives in the Birmingham, Alabama area with his wife and two children. He has been appraising residential real estate for over 20 years and holds the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute. He concentrates in the area of single family, vacant land, 2-4 family, and condominium appraisals.
This blog discusses Birmingham Alabama real estate appraiser topics in real estate appraisal. This includes but not limited to topics including explanations of the real estate appraisal process, articles on fsbo marketing appraisals, current topics in the appraisal profession, the real estate market in the Birmingham, Alabama area, appraisal humor, and the general real estate market.
I just wanted to share with everyone the snow we had in the Birmingham, Alabama area on Christmas Day. It may not sound very exciting to many people but this is the first snow we have had on Christmas day in around 45 years! It was enjoyed by all. Hope you enjoy.
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