Real Estate Appraiser Tips » Appraisers Talk Back Survey

The Top Eight Real Estate Appraisal Blogs

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:53:59 +0000

http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ - Real Estate Appraiser Tips! The Eight Real Estate Appraisal Related Blogs I Read Consistently, Recommend!

I’m excited to present to you the eight free blogs I tend to visit the most in 2010. These are updated online publications, not newsletters like Ann O’Rourke’s awesome weekly emails.

Not Exactly A Ratings Game! I honestly did not want to get into a ratings game but then again, I want to try to point out those that are working the hardest to bring value to their readers. And, if you know me, you know that I’m not really into “news”. I don’t read the newspaper nor do I visit CNN because I don’t want that negative bombardment in my mind daily. There are several great Appraiser News blogs out there that serve appraisers in an outstanding fashion. But, news is not what Real Estate Appraiser Tips is just about – it’s just not me. I like video communication, marketing tips and tech tips, so I frequent those blogs more often. And, if you ask 10 other appraisers their favorite blogs, I’m sure you’d get a list entirely different. See comment below regarding the Appraiser Law Blog, which several appraisers have recommended to me.

There’s Professional Blog of Organizations…And Semi Pro Blogs Of Appraisers Making It Happen On A Daily Basis….And I like both. My Top 8 are blogs I personally visit most frequently and I really like to see and read what “local” appraisal blogs are doing more than national blogs focused on news. I like to read about appraisers in action and taking action versus news and issues. The news and issues will always be there….what I and we can learn about those appraisers making it happen online, connecting to their local audience, is exciting to me. There are brilliant appraisers now blogging and I learn from them each week. Some of them are so creative as compared to my less than creative self. They help me with ideas to blog about and so many times each month I find myself saying, “I never thought of blogging about that or this way!”.

And, none of the blogs on the list below are my own blogging clients, to avoid self promotion!

NOTE: ALL OF THESE BLOG WRITERS ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO OBTAIN THE MOST IMPORTANT CREDENTIAL NEEDED IN 2010 – TRUST AGENT IDENTITIES. SOME HAVE OWNED THIS REPUTATION FOR YEARS. The most important page on Tips and the most important message on my site is the 2010 Theme: Becoming Your Market’s Local Trust Agent! Click on each Blog Image to visit their sites.

1.) Ryan Lundquist – Sacramento Appraisal Blog

I don’t know any appraiser that works harder on their blog than Ryan does! And, Ryan is so well connected to his community that they are on his blog monthly! From Project 680 collecting socks for the homeless to his bike riding videos, he’s all about his community. If there’s an example of an appraiser trust agent in a U.S. local market, it’s Ryan! It’s not all about “Ryan”, but about others. And, he takes the time to comment on other blogs as well, helping them rank better. In the words of Gary Vaynerchuk, Ryan is “Crushing It” in 2010!

2.) John C. Jones, Real Estate Broker & Video Marketer.

His Right Hand Man, Rob Janson (aka Peanut), has produced over 100 videos on Viddler . John is the example of what a trust agent should be and he consistently communicates that message almost every Tuesday morning on video.

3.) Brian Davis and Appraisal Scoop Blog.

I don’t know of any other practicing appraiser in the U.S. that gives more to appraisers on a weekly basis than Brian Davis. He’s been helping appraisers for years with the marketing, tips and news. I’d like every appraiser reading this to go visit Appraisal Scoop, read the top post and leave a comment on the blog. Then, I’m asking you to personally email Brian Davis at bjdavis@ourappraisal.com and thank him for all that he does for us.

4.) Appraiser Active Blog.

When I think of Florida Appraiser Frank Gregoire, I think of the words “Spirited” and “Passionate”. Frank is busy in Florida fighting a good fight for appraisers nationally on his blog and keeping us updated of legislation and AMC actions that don’t favor appraisers. I’d like every appraiser reading this to go visit Appraiser Active and send Frank a thank you email for all that he does for us.

5.) Bryan McDonald and REBliss.com.

When I think of Bryan, I think of the appraiser / iPhone tech expert. Bryan is so good at employing 2010 technology into his appraisal business and offers value to his readers monthly. He also makes himself available to help and frequently comments on blogs. REBliss.com will grow in popularity in the years to come as appraisers become more technologically competent.

6.) Tom Horn and Birmingham Alabama Blog.

Although Tom has a fairly new blog in 2010, he has hit the ground running offering much value to locals. He’s caught on very quickly and already he’s been professional interviewed and that interview posted on his blog, Pt 1 here and Pt 2 here. I think of Tom’s determination and eagerness to add value as the next Ryan Lundquist to the appraisal market.

7.) David Brauner With Working RE Mag and Appraiser Talkback Blog.

This is where I find out the pulse of what appraisers are thinking and feeling! Working RE Magazine offers awesome tips in itself. The blog itself is more about the publishing of appraiser surveys which offers insight into what other appraisers are thinking and how they are overcoming the hurdle that HVCC set before them.

8.) Agent Genius Blog.

Which is an awesome example of how to blog better, offers great content and ideas to blog about!

NOTE: Please note that this list couldn’t possibly be all inclusive of all the blogs in the USA as there are so many great appraisers out there doing tremendous jobs on their blogs and for appraisers. I also have many other blogs listed on my site as links as well, like The Matrix Blog. This isn’t really a ratings game either. I’m not much of a “news” kind of guy, but love tips on marketing, video and tech. I do sincerely appreciate every one of you for the investment you’ve made into my life and profession to help make me a better appraiser and marketer.

NOTE: If one looks on the right hand side of Tips, you’ll see the Links and Resources where I’ve been recommending these sites and blogs for quite some time now.

Enjoy Your Reading And Learning From These Making It Happen In 2010!

Bill Cobb

Tags: real estate appraiser survival, real estate appraiser tips, real estate appraiser videos, real estate appraisers, real estate appraiser blogs, real estate appraisal blogs, real estate interviews

Real Estate Appraisers…FHA Roster Security AND Enter To Win Free Custom Built Appraisal Blog!

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:27:34 +0000

Real Estate Appraisers…FHA Roster Security AND Enter To Win Free Custom Built Appraisal Blog!

This Below Is A Reprint Of Yesterday’s Email About This New Contest. See the bottom

Working RE Magazine Reprint: Special Edition: 2010 Appraiser Survival Kit: FHA Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual

Editor’s Note: This review is reprinted with permission from Real Estate Appraiser Tips. Please see below for details on how to win a free custom-built appraiser blog by author, appraiser and social media expert Bill Cobb.

2010 Appraiser Survival Kit: FHA Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual
By Bill Cobb

With the many challenges before the residential appraiser these days, it’s important to remain on the FHA Roster- the ticket that can provide 40 to 50 percent of your income going forward. Here’s one way to help improve the quality of your FHA work.

It’s no secret that 2010 could be a very challenging year for home appraisers due to less demand for appraisal orders. However, where certain sectors are diminishing under the current mortgage market conditions, FHA and USDA Rural Development (RD) appraisal orders are booming. RD appraisal assignments require FHA standards and inclusion on the FHA Roster. FHA work is expected to remain a large portion of mortgage lending into 2010.

A Coester AppraisalNewscast in late December last year stated that as much as 60 percent of home loans made in 2009 were FHA. A recent 2010 HousingWire Update email stated that four out of 10 home loans are FHA. Whether FHA lending makes up 40 or 60 percent of mortgage lending in 2010, it seems certain that it is a necessity for appraisers to remain on the FHA Roster.

FHA Cracking Down

Why is it important to “up your game” when it comes to FHA appraisals? It was reported in 2009 that, due to FHA loans defaults, FHA reserves dwindled below one percent, causing the Wall Street Journal and others to question FHA’s survivability. It’s my understanding that FHA is increasing scrutiny of appraisals in an effort to remain solvent. Recently, Bloomberg reported that: “U.S. Subpoenas 15 FHA Lenders with High Mortgage Defaults” (January 12, 2010). And, you can bet that FHA will look at who the appraisers are that possibly helped those 15 lenders earn their high default status.

FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual!

On Real Estate Appraiser Tips (my blog filled with tips for working harder on your business, rather than in your business), we try not to get bogged down in the news of the day but offer tips and solutions to get us beyond our challenges. After reading through the FHA Inspection Course, eManual and using the Checklist in the field, I’m convinced that the use of the Checklist will certainly aid in reminding us not to forget any inspection items while onsite and consequently, remaining on the FHA roster by not committing careless errors.

For instance, one item I repeatedly forget to take note of is how far the private sewer or water well is located from the home and to properly annotate the locations of such on the sketch. The Checklist reminds me to do this. Another reminder is to include photos of the crawl space, which is something I often forget to do. With the elimination of the old “VC Sheet” in 2005, FHA inspections may not be as thorough as needed simply because of a lack of a checklist to follow during inspections. This product solves that problem for appraisers.

A helpful feature of the eManual is the real life photo examples of possible FHA deficiencies with questions and discussion as to which answers are correct and why. FHA lessened some standards in 2005 after it lost so much mortgage market share but this resource answers the extent of “current” FHA standards concisely.

“This new FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual is designed to get you up to speed on FHA appraising,” said appraiser-author Lore DeAstra. “The course explains how to complete the two-page checklist line by line. The Checklist serves as a field guide for completing your reports. The eManual saves you time and money by summarizing and organizing the material you need to know. We reviewed more than 450 pages of HUD materials and spoke with several HUD officials to compile the FHA Appraiser Inspection Form, course materials, and eManual. It will save you time and money.” (No continuing education credit is available at this time).

If you have questions for Lore DeAstra regarding FHA appraising that you would like answered, please email them to subscription@workingre.com.

Testimonials from other Users

“The eManual is written for the appraiser needing to know the latest FHA requirements. It is concise, yet contains all the newest appraisal requirements that are scattered throughout the volumes of FHA manuals, letters, etc. The included FHA Appraiser Inspection Checklist is a short two pages and still a reminder of those unusual situations not usually encountered. This will keep the appraiser from omitting required items and having to return to the subject property.” – C. Pierce. MAI, Appraiser +30 Yrs – Detroit, Michigan

“This material is for anyone learning the new FHA regulations and guidelines, even if they have been appraising for years. Utilizing the FHA Inspection Checklist and eManual are highly beneficial during the inspection and appraisal process. Very Well Done!” C. Fox, MSA, Real Estate Appraiser for +30 Years, Houston, Texas

Sidebar

Win a Free Custom Built Appraiser Blog
Author and appraiser Bill Cobb, a wizard at using blogging, social media and other “new stuff” to increase business, is offering to build a blog free for one lucky appraiser and provide training and tips on how to maintain it. You can view a sample of Bill’s appraisers’ blogs at Appraisersblogsample.info. (To learn more about why blogs can help you with your appraisal business, please read Using Blogs to Grow your Business.)

Everyone who purchases the FHA material reviewed by Bill above within the next two weeks will automatically be entered to win the free custom-built appraiser’s blog (regularly $150).

To Order: The price for the Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual is only $49 ($40 for OREP members). To purchase, please visit www.workingre.com/workingre/fha-course-checklist-emanual.html.

Contest Requirements

Only individual appraisers are qualified to win. (Appraisal industry vendors and their employees are not eligible.)

You will need to provide your own hosting and domain name.

The deadline to purchase/enter is February 12th, 2010.

If you’ve already purchased the FHA material and would like to be entered to win, please email us at subscription@workingre.com.

If you are having problems reading this message, please read it online now:
www.workingre.com/workingre/appraisal-survival-kit-fha-course-checklist-emanual.htm

The Necessity of Remaining On The FHA Roster AND The FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:49:19 +0000

http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ - The Necessity of Remaining On The FHA Roster AND The FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual. A Brief Discussion Of The Current US Economic Climate, FHA In 2010, The Importance Of Remaining On The FHA Roster And A Solution To Help FHA Appraiser Do So!

2010 Could Be A Very Challenging Year For Home Appraisers!
The current economic news suggests 2010 will be a very challenging year for home appraisers in the form of less demand for appraisal orders. First, the stability of the entire U.S. Financial System is in question. Commercial mortgage delinquencies continue to rise. CNBC just reported that 9.97% of home loans are now delinquent. It’s predicted in 2010 that a housing crash looms as we will reach shadow inventory of 7 million. As we reach this 7 million, the demand for housing will decline and housing prices will follow. With less equity, there will be less refinance appraisal orders. The Crabtree Report says home prices slide as inventories rise. Home price slides mean more people walking away, less refi’s, and less appraisal work.

Secondly, home mortgage rates are expected to increase. The Mortgage Bankers Association just said yesterday that as interest rates rise and the unemployment increases, it expects home loan originations to fall by 40% this year -their lowest level in a decade. HousingWire said today: “Yield Curve Can’t Drive Profits If Banks Won’t Lend,” banks are not lending on real estate, and banks won’t lend until rates rise. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA are all raising loan qualification standards. All of this indicates less appraisal orders.

However, FHA & RD Appraisal Orders Are BOOMING!
Given the current mortgage market conditions, FHA and USDA Rural Development (RD) appraisal orders are booming. RD Appraisal Assignments require FHA standards and placement on the FHA Roster. FHA work is expected to remain a large portion of mortgage lending into 2010.

FHA Maintains Large Percentage Of Home Loans Into 2010!
The 12/29/2009 Coester AppraisalNewscast stated that as much as 60% of home loans made in 2009 were FHA market share. A recent 2010 HousingWire Update email stated that 4 of 10 home loans are FHA loans. So, whether or not FHA lending makes up 40% or 60% of mortgage lending in 2010, one thing is certain: It’s a necessity for appraisers to remain on the FHA Roster.

FHA Cracking Down On Appraisers!
It was reported in 2009 that, due to FHA loans defaults, FHA reserves had dwindled below 1%, causing the Wall Street Journal and others to question FHA’s survivability. It’s my understanding that FHA is increasing scrutiny of appraisals in order to remain solvent. Just today, Bloomberg is reporting: “U.S. Subpoenas 15 FHA Lenders With High Mortgage Defaults”. And, you can bet that FHA will looking at who the appraisers were that possibly helped those 15 lenders earn their high default status.

The Necessity Of Remaining On The FHA Roster!
So, with all of these challenges before the residential appraiser, it’s important to remain on the FHA Roster, the roster that can provide 40% to 50% of an appraisers income going forward.

THE SOLUTION – The FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual!
On Real Estate Appraiser Tips, we try not to get bogged down in the news of the day but offer tips and solutions to get us beyond our challenges. After reading through Lore DeAstra’s and Continental Appraisal Consultant’s FHA Inspection Course, eManual and using the Checklist in the field, I’m convinced that the use of the checklist will certainly aid in reminding not to forget any inspection items while onsite and consequently, remaining on the FHA roster by not committing careless errors. For instance, one item I repeatedly forget to take note of is, how far the private sewer or water well is located from the home and to properly annotate the locations of such on the sketch. The Checklist reminds me to do this. Another example is the reminder to include photos of the crawl space, which is something I often forget to do. With the elimination of the old “VC Sheet” in 2005, FHA inspections may not be as thorough as needed simply because of a lack of a checklist to follow during inspections. This product solves that problem for appraisers.

Another helpful feature of the eManual is the real life photo examples of possible FHA deficiencies with questions and discussion as to which answer is correct and why. I knew that FHA had lessened some standards back in 2005 after it had lost so much mortgage market share, but this resource answers the extent of “current” FHA standards concisely.

Here’s the Description from the creator, Lore DeAstra:
“This new FHA Appraiser Inspection Course, Checklist and eManual is designed to get you up to speed on FHA appraising (no continuing education credit is available at this time). The course explains how to complete the two-page checklist line by line. The Checklist serves as a field guide for completing your reports. The eManual saves you time and money by summarizing and organizing the material you need to know. Author/appraiser Lore DeAstra says, “We reviewed more than 450 pages of HUD materials and spoke with several HUD officials to compile the FHA Appraiser Inspection Form, course materials, and eManual. It will save you time and money.”

Here’s A Couple Testimonials From Other Users:

“for anyone learning the new FHA regulations and guidelines, even if they have been appraising for years. Utilizing the FHA Inspection Checklist and eManual are highly beneficial during the inspection and appraisal process. Very Well Done!” C. Fox, MSA, Real Estate Appraiser for +30 Years, Houston, Texas

FHA, Fannie, Freddie, FHFA Talk Plainly At Valuation 2009 – You’re Mostly Not Going Like What They Had To Say!

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:21:43 +0000

http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ - Working RE: FHA, Fannie, Freddie, FHFA Talk Plainly At Valuation 2009 – You’re Mostly Not Going Like What They Had To Say!

There’s a new post on the Working RE “Appraiser Talkback Blog” entitled, “FHA, Fannie/Freddie Tell It Like It Is (to them)“. Click on the post title to read the full article by David Brauner!

Here’s a snippet:

“The appraiser Valuation 2009 conference in New Orleans this month offered unprecedented access to key regulators, AMCs and other decision makers regarding the future of the appraisal industry- that’s the good news. The bad news is that you may not like what they are saying.

Honchos from FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHFA, the agency overseeing Fannie and Freddie, laid out their positions on the state of the industry since the collapse, the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and recent and proposed legislative and policy changes at their agencies. According to these folks, the result of HVCC so far are less pressure and better appraisals.

FHA clarified what it means by its dictate that appraiser fees must be customary and reasonable- and unless you own an AMC, you’re not going to like that either.”

FHA Top Ten 10 Ways To Reduce FHA Appraisal Corrections Request

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:16:36 +0000

http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ – A Major AMC just released the “FHA Top Ten” Top 10 Ways To Reduce FHA Corrections Request

Here They Are:

“1.) Do not proceed with inspection until you have received the FHA Case Number. Once received, please include case number in the upper right hand corner of each page of the report.

2.) If the subject property is a manufactured home, do not proceed. Manufactured Homes are not eligible per Chase’s guidelines.

3.) Lender requires that appraisers include a statement that the subject meets or does not meet minimum FHA property requirements. If subject does not meet minimum requirements please complete report subject to and include itemized and estimated costs to cure.

4.) In the Cost Approach Section, include a site value for all properties (except condos).

5.) Include the Estimated Remaining Economic Life of the subject.

6.) Include all four sides of the structure in subject photos.

7.) Include photos of all required repairs, deferred maintenance or any other issues that affect marketability.

8.) If the subject has a private well or septic system, indicate whether public water and sewer is available. If so, please include the approximate cost to connect. Appraisers must also state the distance between the well and septic and confirm if it meets FHA and/or local code.

9.) The appraiser completing FHA Appraisal needs to be FHA approved.

10.)Effective May 1st all orders assigned to an appraiser must be completed by that appraiser.”

Real Estate Appraisers – Voice Your Opinion, Take The “Appraiser’s Talk-Back” Survey

http://realestateappraisertips.info/ — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:39:24 +0000

http://www.appraisertalkback.com/ - Real Estate Appraisers – Voice Your Opinion, Take The WorkingRE.com’s ”Appraiser’s Talk-Back” Survey!

Here’s where to find the survey:

Click Here: http://www.appraisertalkback.com/

Follow These Steps To Arrive At The Survey!