The Federal Reserve of Atlanta just completed a review of the recovering Atlanta market, a better detailed one than most. Looking at the data down to zip code level produces much more accurate information than the typical Case-Shiller report. The report confirms what those knowledgeable about the
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07/30/2013
Washington continues to push the real estate market…President Barack Obama during a recent speaking tour: “I’m also acting on my own to cut red tape for responsible families who want to get a mortgage, but the bank says no.” Knowing the key role that real estate plays in the health of the overall
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07/30/2013
The real estate band wagon is playing loudly and the media continues to trumpet the good news about a recovery. Under the hood and on the street, the jubilation is tempered; appraisers seem to be unconvinced that this is a legitimate recovery. When asked, "What is your current level of confidence
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07/29/2013
Should a home seller get a prelisting appraisal? Only if its usefulness is kept in context, otherwise, it’s likely to be a waste of money. Many times, having an appraiser as a “consultant” is far better than having them complete just an appraisal. Typically, sellers say the main reasons for order
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07/26/2013
Where is the line between an agent being an advocate for a seller and being an advocate for themselves? Where is the line between an agent being unwilling to accept factual data and an agent being unable to comprehend factual data? Where is the line between an agent being unable to explain said f
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07/25/2013
Bank of America Corp has opened a unit in India to handle the work of reviewing appraisal reports as they try to rebuild their share of the U.S. mortgage market at a lower cost. Unskilled reviewers in the new Bangalore office follow checklists to determine if appraisals are complete, said the peo
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07/13/2013
A buyer waiving the appraisal contingency is occasionally seen, but what about waiving it as a seller? Opinionated sellers are out there, but how many are willing to actually put their confidence to the test and sell the home if it appraises for less than the contract price? We’ve touched on the
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07/12/2013
Here’s a detailed look at sales activity in the Alpharetta, Cambridge, Milton and Roswell High School districts over the last 18 months. In the analyzed price range, Roswell is a very strong and very active market with a 62% increase in sales and a ridiculously low median 14 days on market. We fo
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07/11/2013
While some buyers regain the McMansion appetite, others are moving toward the "finger food" menu. Micro-apartments that range between 180 and 300 square feet are growing in popularity among young professionals, singles, and even some retirees and empty-nesters. These make studio apartments seem e
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07/10/2013
Underwriters require a letter of explanation for a $6 deposit made by a buyer earning $10,000 a month. Underwriters require written explanation for a businessman's dry cleaning expenses - for the last three years. Buyers engaged in the home buying process rarely escape idiotic underwriting reques
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07/10/2013
