Christmas Debt Got You Down?

Christmas Debt Got You Down?

  Christmas Debt Got You Down? According to the Federal Reserve, American Credit Card debt has now reached a record high of $1.021 trillion! 44% of Christmas shoppers racked up more than $1,000 in holiday debt. If you spent $1,054, and paid a minimum payment of...

Appraisal vs. Home Inspection

Aren’t Real Estate Appraisals & Home Inspections the same thing? There is a big difference, very big!  A Real Estate Appraiser looks at things that may present health or safety issues such as mold, exposed wires or broken plumbing.  Our reports include only...
Appraiser Jargon

Appraiser Jargon

Have you heard an appraiser use any of these terms? Did you just hear one of our appraisers use it and you came here to figure out what it meant? We don’t mean to speak a foreign language, but any profession has its jargon. What “res ipsa loquitur”...
Appraiser Ethics

Appraiser Ethics

Appraisal is a profession, and appraisers are professionals. In our field as with any profession we are bound by ethical considerations. An appraiser’s primary responsibility is to his or her client.  Normally, in residential practice, the appraiser’s...
Appraiser Licensing

Appraiser Licensing

Appraiser licensing varies from state to state. To participate in what is called a “federally-related transaction,” which is, for example, a mortgage being underwritten by a national bank, an appraiser must be licensed or certified by his or her state. The...
How to Prepare for an Appraisal

How to Prepare for an Appraisal

For homeowners, a real estate appraisal is the linchpin to buying or selling their home. It allows the property transactions to occur among the buyer, seller, real estate agent and mortgage lender. Before an Appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know....
The Truth About Appraisers and Appraisals

The Truth About Appraisers and Appraisals

Myth: Assessed value should equate to market value. Reality: While most states support the concept that assessed value approximate estimated market value, this often is not the case. Examples include when interior remodeling has occurred and the assessor is unaware of...
Our Technology

Our Technology

We all know them. The guys with pounds of silicon hanging from their belts. Every new gadget that has hit the market in the past 10 years has done time around their waist. Call them geeks. Call them nerds. Call them what you will, but by all means, give them your...
What is an Appraisal?

What is an Appraisal?

A home purchase is the largest, single investment most people will ever make. Whether it’s a primary residence, a second vacation home or an investment, the purchase of real property is a complex financial transaction that requires multiple parties to pull it...
What is PMI? How do I get rid of it?

What is PMI? How do I get rid of it?

Assuming a decent credit rating, any potential home buyer can secure a loan for a house. Why? Because these transactions are secured by a very valuable asset: the home itself. If a borrower defaults on a loan, the risk for the lender is often only the difference...