Editor’s Note: Appraisers and Home Inspectors are catching the energy-auditing wave- diversifying and adding to their bottom lines. Shining Light on Energy Auditing by David Brauner, Editor As environmental concerns among Americans reach a tipping point- saving our planet, becoming energy independent, saving money on the soaring cost of energy- appraisers, inspectors and others are...…
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Editor’s Note: Bill Cobb is a wizard at using blogging, social media and other “new stuff” to increase business. Here, he generously shares his expertise. Using Blogs to Grow Your Business By Bill Cobb This may seem shocking to you but I don’t own an appraiser “website.” I don’t need one. I am not an...…
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This article is about common mistakes in appraisal reports, whether the appraisal is for a mortgage transaction or other intended use. Most mistakes are not violations of USPAP but errors caused by a lack of common sense, trying to satisfy a client or not following Fannie Mae guidelines.
After reviewing countless appraisal reports, I noticed a…
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The anxiety of working with the new crop of appraiser management companies (AMCs) springing up since HVCC, expressed here by a long-timer reader, underscores why so many states have passed or are considering legislation to regulate AMCs. Appraisers need to know who they are dealing with and so does the public.
“One AMC I am dealing…
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Appraisers are finally being heard.
As a result of grass roots complaints by appraisers about diminishing appraisal quality in industry blogs, publications, the general media, and in a formal appeal by a coalition of appraisal organizations, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced several important policy changes intended to increase accountability and due diligence in the appraisal…
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If you’re struggling to survive post HVCC; if you’re angry at having control of your business taken from you; if you’re having trouble getting orders from AMCs even though you’re trying; if you can’t make a living working for reduced fees; if your experience is that AMCs hire based on the lowest fee rather than…
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Editor’s Note: Social media expert and appraiser Bill Cobb offers tips on using new technology to solve an old problem: increasing business. Five Ways to Grow Business (Online) by William D. Cobb Here are five ways to attract visitors to your self-hosted real estate appraisal blog to grow business! 1. Establish your appraisal Twitter account…
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Editor’s Note: Matt Krodel shares a simple and cost free trick to increase business by landing your website in the “Maps” area of Google’s search results. Mapping for Success with Google by Matt Krodel, Product Manager at a la mode Whether we’re talking to real estate appraisers, real estate agents, loan originators or home inspectors,...…
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Appraiser Tony Bamert, Bamert & Associates, Champaign, IL, feels he’s been asked to assume some new and unwanted responsibilities on recent appraisal orders and wonders if his are isolated concerns or issues other appraisers are grappling with as well.
“Traditionally, with any conventional appraisal, I’m not asked to touch the mechanical systems in a home in…
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Editor’s Note: Appraiser Lore DeAstra shows you how to change, grow and succeed. Growing Appraisal Business – Your Way By Lore DeAstra, MBA, SRA, CDEI, CTM Over the past several years, the volume of requests in many appraisal offices has dramatically decreased. While the current economic and regulatory climates have contributed to this phenomenon, another...…
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