In most parts of the country, real estate appraiser's main source of data is the multiple listing service. (MLS) We use it to find homes that are comparable to the ones we are valuing, to determine what buyers are paying for similar homes. We also use the MLS to analyze the market trends and to… Continue reading 3 Ways Agents Can Help Appraisers to Be More Accurate
When a rainbow appears, it can put a smile on our face. They are so beautiful! When one appears, you can be sure that images of one will appear on social media, as people share their beauty with others. Rainbows are artwork in the sky. For many, including me, they invoke happy feelings. Perhaps they… Continue reading What’s Your View?
If you ever get the chance to visit Pymatuning Lake in PA, which is on the boarder of Ohio and Pennsylvania, make sure to go over to the Linesville Spillway. It is an amazing site. Hundreds of Carp congregate in the spillway, battling for food. Throw a little bread in, and it's a feeding frenzy!… Continue reading The Housing Market Has Become Like the Pymatuning Spillway
As a child, many of my best friends had darker skin than mine. Fortunately, I grew up in a family whose view is that all people are equal, and that differences in race, skin color and background, are what make humans so beautiful. Sadly, there are some that do not share that view. As a… Continue reading Is This Discrimination?
Like most aspects of an appraisal, things seem easy. That is, until one takes a closer look. Age is a good example. It seems logical to think that a newer home is more valuable than an older home. However, that's not always the case. Last week, a real estate agent asked me about how appraisers… Continue reading When & How do Appraiser’s Adjust for Age?
On Tuesday of this week, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Therefore, we have six more weeks of winter weather, by some predictions. Somehow, I feel like six more weeks of winter is a given. Especially in Northeast Ohio. How accurate are weather predictions made by folks who try to base future weather patterns on whether… Continue reading AVM’s & Punxsutawney Phil’s Accuracy
Over the years, I have seen a lot of cracks. Big cracks, small cracks, long ones, and short ones. I've seen cracks of all different shapes and sizes. I should make it clear that I am not a crack expert. Before I go on, I should also make clear the type of cracks I am… Continue reading Be A Crack Detective
