My New Blog

The New Market
January 20th, 2010 9:57 AM
Here it is already 2010, thankful 2009 is over and I am already worried. FHA is implementing alot of HVCC rules effective 2/15/2010. I think there are alot of benefits from this and at the same time I know my fees are going to be slashed. I just had 2 new orders last week from 2 new AMC's and I am too embarrassed to tell you the fee they are paying me. It definately doesn't motivate me but what else are you going to do when work is slow and you don't know when the next order is coming in. I attended a USPAP class yesterday that just made me realize there is not alot of room for error. The appraisal board is punishing and sending out fines constantly for errors in reports that the client wants "yesterday". Appraisers are professionals and sometimes I don't think we are treated that way. All the work that goes into one appraisal and all the paperwork can get overwhelming especially when your fee was just cut in half. I am very fond of the idea of a firewall and the idea of no pressure and no talk of value excites me. The market is still declining since last year. Alot more listings, seems like more foreclosures, are hitting the market and I just hope there are buyers out there and lenders. The market is constantly changing so hopefully this year will stabilize and all us in the real estate market can hang in there!

Posted by DAVID JAY on January 20th, 2010 9:57 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Steady does it!
November 17th, 2009 6:24 AM
The past month work has been steady. It seems like I am doing more field reviews than purchases. The tax credit has been extended so hopefully new homebuyers are taking advantage of this. Refinances are getting more and more scarce and with all the T.V. publication you would think everyone would be refinancing into a better and fixed rate. My home, however, is not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac so even thou my loan is over 60% of my income and an adjustable rate there just isn't anything available for me yet. I have spoken to Bank of America several times and I have to default to get any assistance. Sad. I did manage to have my first seller closing on Nov. 2, 2009 and was excited to see it all the way through. January brings uncertainty and excitement. Now any FHA loan can't be ordered through a mortgage broker or anyone receiving commission off loan. There is a new software known as Comp Cruncher that was developed to assist appraisers in deriving value. This software creates graphs, predicts future outcomes and gives a good picture of what is going on in the subject's market area and should be a great benefit making things a little easier for the appraiser. Zaio is on its way back and Headstrong. Being a zone owner myself I am looking for the many advancements made during the next year and changes Zaio will be making to benefit lenders and zone owners. It is going to be a challenging year and hopefully it brings prosperity.

Posted by DAVID JAY on November 17th, 2009 6:24 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Changes Changes Changes
October 5th, 2009 12:29 PM

Just when you think things are going to calm down and you have learned all the new rules and procedures another change comes. You can be in real estate for 15 years and not have a clue what is going on in today's world. It is very important to keep updated on all the rules and changes of real estate around you. No one has the upper hand anymore we are all scrambling trying to learn new successful ways of making money in this bad economic times. The new HVCC guidelines have impacted alot of companies, lenders, mortgage brokers appraisers and realtors. Do I hear good things about the HVCC? More bad than good but we have to get used to it right? Now in 2010 FHA is going to be implementing some of the HVCC guidelines for theirselves. How do we keep up with all the rules and changes? I have mortgage brokers telling me not to proceed with the order they just gave me because they forgot the new rules and weren't allowed to order it yet. I hear how the new HVCC is bombing alot of deals and its all because of the imcompetent appraiser. The blame game gets old and its not our fault values have plummeted. Now is the time realtors, mortgage brokers and lenders should be looking at closed sales also. Whatever happened to realtors doing CMA's? Are they really that shocked when the appraisal comes back and the deal is not justified? If so I worry. Remember it is FAIR market value not the highest not the lowest. There are alot of hurdles just to get to closing. Sometimes its like running a non-ending marathon doing everything you can to get to the end for another obstacle to just slow you down. We sure are working hard for our money now. It will get better. Economists say to secure your job the unemployment rate is going to increase. With these words I will do my best as an appraiser and try to keep up with all the rules so I can spread the word.

 

Sincerely,

Kara L. Sedlak


Posted by DAVID JAY on October 5th, 2009 12:29 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Summer is almost gone
August 2nd, 2009 6:26 AM

The past few months have been slow. Is it because everyone is on vacation? Can people right now actually afford to go on vacations? Maybe people are saving for school supplies and school clothes. I know August can be a very stressful month to move. Homes are still getting foreclosed and not everyone can benefit from the new program Hope for Homeowners. My home doesn't even have a fannie mae or freddie mac loan and I am in an adjustable rate with no hope of value saving me. How is this fair? My home has declined approximately 30% and its not looking any better. I am not going to focus on all the negative things I am going to try to focus on positive things. What can I do to lower my expenses? How can I save money during these times? It seems like prices are going up and more costs are being implemented. Cash is king. My goal is to just survive.

 

Sincerely,

Kara L. Sedlak

Jay Appraisals, Inc.


Posted by DAVID JAY on August 2nd, 2009 6:26 AMPost a Comment (0)

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As-Is versus After Repair Value
July 27th, 2009 9:02 AM

Many appraisals requested are "as is" appraisals. The value is given to a property in its current condition. There are many times when an after repair value is requested. This is common with investors who are seeking to purchase homes, remodel them and resell in hopes of making a profit. Sometimes the investor may spend more than what the market is willing to pay for a remodeled home. A home can be over-improved and unneccesary money spent on improvements that give little or no return. Kitchens and bathrooms are a common improvement in today's market. However, an updated kitchen or bathroom may be expected in the subject's market area and no additional value is given. Sometimes, an after-repair value is requested just to determine what additional value will be gained if remodeled. Some neighborhoods have a big return while some areas its not feasible. I did read that siding was on the top ten of improvements that was feasible and brought back a return. With the oversupply of homes in the market area it is important to be competitive. An appraiser can appraise your property based on the hypothetical condition your property has been totally remodeled. This can sometimes save you alot of money in a long run. The cost of an appraisal is more feasible than spending alot of money on improvements you thought was going to bring you a bigger return or any return at all.

 

Sincerely,

Kara Sedlak


Posted by DAVID JAY on July 27th, 2009 9:02 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Asking Questions!
July 20th, 2009 8:34 AM
There are many questions that homeowners, buyers and realtors have about an appraisal. It is very important to ask these questions. To better understand the appraisal it is sometimes necessary to question things. Due to the falling of values there are alot of comments made about the appraisal. The words "incompetent" are now being heard when the value is not what was expected. It is important to find an appraiser in the area of the subject property but it is also important to understand the appraisal. The appraisal asks for 3 comparable properties. The appraiser analyzes the whole market area and looks at many comparables sold and chooses the three that are most comparable. Currently many appraisers are adding more than three to help support value. The appraiser can not ignore comparables in the market area to find higher comparables in a competing market. Due to the declining market and economic conditions there are stricter guidelines the lenders are requesting when choosing comparables. The job of the appraiser is to protect the lender. The purpose of the appraisal is to determine fair market value not the highest value or lowest value but "fair". The appraiser tries to use comparables that are an arm's length transaction but if the neighborhood is influenced by bank owned or preforclosures the property could be affected. Why would a buyer pay more for your property when they can get the same home for less? The appraiser looks at active listings as well. Appraisals go through an underwriting process and many use AVM's to see if the appraisal is fair. Sometimes there is a lack of data available for the appraiser. I encourage everyone to ask questions if they do not understand the appraisal. Understand that the appraiser has confidentiality rules to abide by and sometimes can not disclose information to someone other than the client. The appraiser will help you talk to someone who can further answer your questions.

Posted by DAVID JAY on July 20th, 2009 8:34 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Follow Me!
July 16th, 2009 8:04 AM

After hearing  all the fuss about Twitter. I have decided to join. You can find me by searching KARAKSCS. I am also on Facebook and Linkedin under kara@jayappraisals.com I do "twit" at least once a day and I try to give as much useful information in the 140 letters allowed. Believe it or not it is really hard to keep it under 140 letters! I believe networking is very important and through these websites I am meeting new companies, new people with alot of new and different ideas. You never know when you may require their services or know someone that needs their services.

I hope to meet more people and hope to have more people reading my blog. Next week I will cover more "appraisal stuff" and hope to answer common questions, myths and facts.

Sincerely,

Kara L. Sedlak (karakscs)

JAY APPRAISALS, INC. serving Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Hernando counties in Florida.


Posted by DAVID JAY on July 16th, 2009 8:04 AMPost a Comment (0)

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The Challenge!
July 9th, 2009 8:05 AM

During these times of declining values it is more difficult to get the job done. The real estate industry is a challenge  for all appraisers, mortgage brokers and lending facilities. There are alot more guidelines and trying to help the seller or buyer is not as easy anymore. Together, we will help the market get back on track and without teamwork we will all fail. During this time we must trust each other to do his or her job effectively. Remember, we all have our own rules and regulations to follow and one must understand not only their duties but others as well. Teamwork is a must and together we will make it through these challenging times.

 

Sincerely,

Kara L. Sedlak


Posted by DAVID JAY on July 9th, 2009 8:05 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Jay Appraisals, Inc. What is your valuation needs?
July 5th, 2009 4:30 PM

ay Appraisals, Inc.

My focus this month is the homeowner. Many homeowners are unaware of how an appraisal can save them money. Do you live in Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando or Hillsborough county in Florida? If so, I would like to help you in your valuation needs.

Insurance- Your home owner's insurance is based on replacement costs. If your house for example was in a fire how much would it cost to rebuild a similar structure. Do not confuse reproduction with replacement cost. Reproduction cost is an exact duplicate of your home. If your home was built in the 1900's your reproduction cost could be very expensive and supplies may be limited. Insurance companies and appraiser's use replacement costs. Insurance companies estimate of value of your home sometimes includes land. You are not insuring your land. Land does not depreciate.

Most real estate appraisals include the cost approach and include the replacement cost of your home. Citizens and other insurance companies can not argue the appraisal. These companies sometimes do not tell you what your options are they just want you to pay. There are options out there and sometimes can be very feasible to spend the money on an appraisal that ranges from $200-$350 and will save you on your homeowner's insurance.

How about your taxes? Do you feel your tax assessment is too high? You can have an appraisal done on your property and give to the county building to consider. There is a deadline to challenge your assessment so a phone call to your county property appraiser's office should be done. Pasco county's deadline is Nov. 30th of every year.

Jay Appraisals, Inc. is here to assist you in every way possible and we feel your property is out of our scope of work we will guide you to a list of other appraisal companies that may be able to assist you. Please check out our website at http://www.jayappraisals.com.  4:26:30 PM

 

Sincerely,

Kara L. Sedlak

President.


Posted by DAVID JAY on July 5th, 2009 4:30 PMPost a Comment (0)

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