Tag Archive for: home value

Do Price Reductions Signal Depreciation?

Price reductions do not signal depreciation… yet.. and they won’t until we see people actually sell their homes for less than what they paid for them.Read More

#1 Factor Zillow Estimates Get The Most Wrong (Why We Need Appraisers)

I lived in the same neighborhood for over 20 years and did hundreds of loans within the area – so I knew every nuance of the area. As a former […]Read More

Don’t Finish Your Basement (or Garage or Patio) IF…

“Your godda***d appraiser only gave $7,500 to my basement after I spent 85,000 f**king dollars finishing it! Go f*** yourself!” So said a borrower to me years ago after he […]Read More

This Decade’s Popular Home Upgrades

If you compare a home from 2010 to one from 2020, you will notice quite a few significant contrasts. The American home is ever-changing, the most recent shifts being more technological home upgrades. Keep reading to find out what home features have become increasingly popular in today's home design.Read More

Why Appraisers Often Come In So Much Lower Than Homeowner Estimates

We once had clients who spent dozens (if not hundreds) of hours removing the popcorn ceilings from their $950,000 home. Because they put so much “sweat” into their equity, they […]Read More

7 Ways To Increase Your Home Value

Everyone wants to increase the value of their home, but many are stumped by where to start. So, we've included practical tips and tricks to inspire you to create a plan today. Congratulations! You've just purchased a home and made one of the most significant purchases of your life. Within the walls and roof surrounding you are your future hopes and dreams. So, how can you protect that future? Simple, increase the value of your home! One of the many benefits of improving your home value is enjoying the comforts of the improvements you made. Below are seven ways to increase the value of your home.Read More

How Much is an “In-Law” Unit Worth? Less Than You Think

REALTOR MISSES VALUE OF HIS OWN HOME BY $500,000 Years ago we were refinancing a Realtor who insisted his remodeled 3,700 square foot home was worth at least $1.5 million. […]Read More

How Much is an “In-Law” Unit Worth? Interior Access; Less Than You Think

REALTOR MISSES VALUE OF HIS OWN HOME BY $500,000 Years ago I was refinancing a Realtor who insisted his remodeled 3,700 square foot home was worth at least $1.5 million. […]Read More

Internal Appraisal Panel; Why We Left the Broker Channel; Never Pushing Values

APPRAISER WHO LIVED 100 MILES FROM SUBJECT PROPERTY In October, I shared an appraisal horror story about a huge Appraisal Management Company hiring an appraiser who lived 100 miles away […]Read More

Curb Appeal for Marketability and “Appraisability”

BAD LANDSCAPING COSTS SELLERS $200,000 I live near a home that was on the market for nearly three months before it finally ended up selling for over $200,000 less than […]Read More

Post Close Client Touches – Homebot Part II

“Hey Jay, Just wanted to let you know that I love this tool. Truth is I actually look forward to it. I like the perspective. Really good business idea. Keep it […]Read More

Illegal In-Law Units and Credits For Closing Costs Always OK If…

We blogged yesterday about “Clean Contracts” and received a couple of great questions. Illegal in-law units and/or kitchens:  Appraisers cannot attribute value to illegal units in most cases, unless they […]Read More

Fascinating “Buy Now” Story; Ignoring Friends; Broker Opens

We told a few stories in Monday’s blog about clients who got into the market when they were young and built over $1 million in equity. A friend of ours […]Read More

Market Is Market Is Market; Sellers Will Not Leave Money on Table

We have had many borrowers recently tell us that they refuse to pay a certain amount for a property b/c “the house is not worth it” despite that fact that […]Read More