Inspecting On a Rainy Day In many places this winter there’s more rain then snow – at least so far. Do you inspect on a rainy day? In case you’re wondering, most inspectors we talk to do not slow down when it rains – in fact many assert there are items they can see far…
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Pros and Cons: Lowering Fees in Slow Times This time of year inspectors agonize whether to lower fees to make it through the traditionally slow winter months. Appraisers are facing similar issues in this slowing real estate market. Some inspectors drop fees to generate business using “coupons” and “seasonal specials,” but seasoned pros say lowering...…
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Lower-Liability Appraising by David Brauner, Editor According to John Harris, appraising machinery and equipment is USPAP-compliant appraisal work that offers more opportunity and less liability than appraising real property. “The clients for these appraisals are not mortgage brokers/lenders, so the first thing our graduates tell us is that they are so happy to be doing…
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Editor’s Note: The following Q&A about how to report a crooked floor in the face of pressure (from a crooked lender), demonstrates what a powerful tool a good Scope of Work can be in deflecting pressure, limiting liability and producing more professional reports. Scope of Work Q&A: Deflecting Pressure, Reducing Liability by David Braun, MAI,…
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Doing it Faster and Better By Rick Foos, SRA Here is something we appraisers know all too well: because we sell our opinions of value, our income is limited directly by how many appraisals we can complete in the hours in a day (time is money). So how do we give ourselves a raise? By…
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Editor’s Note: As a new source of business, supplying Cost Segregation Studies for accountants, really adds up, according to appraisers Guy P. Reese, MAI and Kevin Cavasos, CMI. Learn why below. For more specifics on how these studies are prepared along with background, Cost Segregation Studies: Background. Cost Segregation Studies Why Working with Accountants Adds...…
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Editor’s Note: After 25 years of serving the appraisal industry, Bradford Technologies CEO Jeff Bradford introduces a new online community for appraisers designed in the belief that there is strength in numbers. Brave New World for Appraisers: Welcome to AppraisalWorld™ By Jeff Bradford For the last 25 years, Bradford Technologies has been selling software and...…
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Editor’s Note: Appraisers can combine their expertise with technology to compete and beat AVMs, according to appraiser and Zaio Chief Executive Officer Thomas Inserra, SRA. Read his thoughts below. Out-Competing AVMs by Thomas Inserra, SRA Appraisers don’t have to accept the continued loss of business to AVMs. They can compete for the business and win…
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Editor’s Note: This story is one in a three-part series: Pressure: Dealing with It; Comp Checks: Learning to Live Without You and Getting Full Fees. Find more at www.workingre.com. Comp Checks: Learning to Live Without You According to most appraisers, the only way to “move on” when it comes to comp checks is to make...…
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Editor’s Note: In this story, a la mode Chairman Dave Biggers shows you how it’s done. After the Boom: Surviving & Thriving (in any market) by Dave Biggers, Chairman, a la mode The real estate market moves on a continuous up and down pattern, as we all know. Booms, busts and everything in between aren’t…
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