USPAP, which you might hear pronounced like “YOOS-pap,” is the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. USPAP is published and maintained by the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) of the Appraisal Foundation, a non-governmental entity charged by...
Every year, countless people in the United States buy, sell or refinance their own slice of the American Dream. Most, if not all, of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. It has become an understood and accepted part of a real estate...
Old Man Winter is settling in for a long chilly season. Before the temperatures dip too far south, follow these simple guidelines to winterize your home and save money on utilities. Inside Your Home Have your furnace system serviced to ensure it’s working...
On the front lines against mortgage fraud Mortgage fraud has made headlines locally and nationally. Most of the time, mortgage fraud involves identity theft or fraud — making a borrower appear to be somebody else, with a better job, more income or fewer debts....
Assessments vs Real Estate Appraisals can be confusing. An assessment is the value placed on a property by the town or city’s assessor’s office to determine the property tax due. Assessments typically do not change every year. An appraisal is a report done...
Excited about your home makeover… Homeowners often assume that spending $25,000 on a new kitchen will raise the value of their house by $25,000. But that’s rarely the case, home-improvement projects often are not worth the price in a resale situation. The renovations...
Why should I pay for an appraisal when I can get the value of my home for free from Zillow or other websites? You can reach out to any number of places to get an opinion of what your home is worth. Zillow states that their estimated market value uses a proprietary...
Appraisers are trained and regulated to be independent unbiased third parties. Most appraisers are terrified to do anything that might suggest that they are biased. The appraisal board is no joke and implied negligence can cost an appraiser their career. This fear...
Look at your home from the street and make sure your curb appeal is maximized by a tidy yard, grass mowed, hedges trimmed clutter and toys put away. These are all small issues you can take care of quickly to make a good first impression. The same for the...
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