January, 2018

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What’s a House Worth? Wall Street Turns to Drive-By ‘Appraisals’

Realtor

Luke Sharrett for The Wall Street Journal When Blackstone Group LP wanted to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to buy foreclosed homes after the housing crash, it needed a quick, inexpensive way to value thousands of houses the investment firm already owned and was offering as collateral. Blackstone and its lender, Deutsche Bank AG, settled on a sort of drive-by valuation done by real-estate agents that are more cursory and cost far less than traditional appraisals.

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Home Improvements: What counts towards the appraisal?

Padove Appraisal Service

I am often asked which home improvements “count” towards the appraised value of a house. This is never an easy question. Many people envision a list of improved items with predetermined relevancy, along with a specific dollar value assigned to each of those items. I will explain in this blog entry why that is not feasible, or reliable approach. There are many items that comprise the totality of a house.

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Will Appraiser Qualifications Change in 2018?

Robinson Appraisal Group

As appraisers are dropping out and retiring from the appraisal field due to strict guidelines on qualifications and education requirements the AQB (Appraiser Qualifications Board) has been rethinking the current set of standards applied to Licensed and Certified Appraisers. The board establishes the minimum education, experience and exam requirements for an appraiser to obtain a certification within the state.

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5 Ways a Buyer's Agent Can Make Shopping New Construction Easier

Zillow

Buying new construction seems simple, right? Just pick out the floor plan you want, choose the perfect lot, and watch it go up. No sellers to deal with, no unexpected repairs that come up during inspection, no drawn-out negotiations. Right? Not so fast. In any real estate transaction, it's important to have a professional on your side, even if the process seems straightforward.

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The Benefits of Real Estate Appraisals: An In-Depth Look at This Value-Added Service

Aedis Appraisals

Regardless of whether you happen to be a lender or buyer, it’s important for you to understand the salient details of contemporary real estate appraisals, especially if your forthcoming transaction is lucrative and vital to your financial future. So if you’ve been weighing the pros and cons of facilitating a real estate appraisal in Vancouver , feel free to use this brief article as an introductory guide to understanding the integral nature of this fundamental service.

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What's in Store for Home Prices in 2018?

Patch of Land

CoreLogic’s new home price index showed that prices rose 7% in November over one year ago. It got us wondering how the housing market will shape up this year with the supply-demand equation still out of balance. Rising prices are great news for sellers, including real estate investors interested in cashing in on home price appreciation. They are also good news for single-family residential investors with loans on properties as they will have stronger equity positions that frequently provide more

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What Does a Builder's Warranty Cover?

Zillow

Even with new homes, things can go wrong. That is why many buyers of newly built homes are interested in warranties, which promise to repair or replace certain elements of the home. Many home warranties are backed by the builder, while others are purchased by builders from independent companies that assume responsibility for specific claims. In other cases, homeowners purchase coverage from a third-party warranty company to supplement coverage provided by their builder.

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6 Ways to Score a Lease in a Competitive Rental Market

Zillow

In a competitive rental market, you'll need to do quite a bit more than simply fill out an application and put down a deposit. Since 2005, there has been "an uptick in renters, with people in their 50s and 60s making up the largest chunk of the increase," CNN Money reports. With large numbers of millennials and Baby Boomers competing in a growing pool of renter applications, it's important to consider ways to boost your odds during the application process.

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How Do Co-Borrowers' Credit Scores Affect a Home Purchase?

Zillow

Whether you're a seasoned or first-time home buyer, be prepared to know your FICO score and have a firm understanding of your credit history. And if you're buying with another person, their credit history can affect your joint home purchase. What is a FICO score? First things first - what's a FICO score and why does it matter? FICO is an acronym for the Fair Isaac Corporation, the company that developed the most commonly used credit scoring system.

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Buying a House on Disability Benefits or SSI

Zillow

The complexities of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits leave many people wondering not only if they can buy a home, but if buying a home will, in turn, affect their benefits in the future. The short answer is many people who receive SSDI and SSI benefits can and do qualify to buy a home, but will also likely face some additional hurdles unique to receiving these benefits.

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The Elements of a Home Appraisal: An Explanation

Aedis Appraisals

If you’re considering selling your home soon, you will need to get an appraisal at some point. While people who are new to this process may feel confused about what it entails, it is a simple process that can be made even easier when you use a great appraisal company. The steps involved in getting your home appraised include making your appointment, having your appraisal done, receiving your report, and then consulting with an industry expert to get an explanation of the report and ask any quest

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Work with the Best Appraisal Firm in Canada for Your Residential and Commercial Appraisals

Aedis Appraisals

Are you looking to buy or sell a home or commercial building in Canada? The buying and selling of real estate can be confusing for people who are not familiar with the processes. That is where real estate professionals come in! A great real estate firm will be able to help you with any appraisals you need for residential or commercial property as well as provide a plethora of other real estate services that you could need.

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Who Owns the Home When Two Names are on the Mortgage?

Zillow

When couples start a new journey as homeowners, questions can linger as to whose name (or names) should be listed on the mortgage and title. Many couples want a 50/50 split, indicating equal ownership to the asset, but sometimes that isn't the best financial decision. Plus, with more than one person on the loan, the legalities of who owns the home can get tricky.