Thursday, October 30, 2008

How Appraisers in Indian Trail NC Value Homes

Indian Trail is one of the fastest growing towns in Union County, North Carolina. Indian Trail, North Carolina is located East of Charlotte, and in the past four years has experianced a tremendous amount of growth. Property Appraisers in Indian Trail, NC consider the principle of competition that says when the supply of property in the market place is low relative to the demand for such properties, creating excess profits for present property owners, the result is to attract more properties to the market place. If only a few properties are available in Indian Trail, North Carolina those properties will command a much higher price than if there were many properties for sale.

A real estate appraiser may also consider the principles of conformity, progression and regression. In general, particular in residential areas of single-family houses in Indian Trail, buildings should follow the principle of conformity; that is, they should be similar in design, construction, age, condition, and market appeal to other homes in the neighborhood.

Nonconformity may work to the advantage or disadvantage of the owner of the nonconforming property. A home appraiser in Indian Trail, North Carolina, describes progression, as “a house that has not been well maintained but is located in a neighborhood of well kept homes will benefit from the overall good impression created by the neighborhood and its probable desirability”. Regression is the exact opposite.

For example, a mansion home in Weddington, NC a property appraiser may notice that a home been meticulously maintained but is in a neighborhood of homes that have not received regular repair will suffer from the generally unfavorable impression created. A home located in Indian Trail, North Carolina on a small lot may benefit if the majority of the homes are located on much bigger lots. Appraisers Charlotte NC must analyze all information that is readily available. FHA appraisers in Indian Trail, NC also consider several factors that affect the marketability of the subject property. A lender will ensure that an appraiser located in Indian Trail is a FHA approved appraiser. www.valuation-expert.com/Indian_Trail.html

Monday, October 27, 2008

Mecklenburg County NC Appraisers

The value of real estate in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina has risen dramatically in the past 20 years. Although as demand and supply fluctuates, not every property in Mecklenburg will increase in value at the same rate. The real estate market in Mecklenburg, NC has been appreciating on a linear scale. The major market forces are the population level, the strength of the national, and local economy, and the availability of financing.

Home appraisers in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina examine the four forces that create value. For any real estate or commodity to have value, the four elements that create value must be present. These elements are demand, utility, scarcity, and transferability. The most common type of value that an property appraiser in Mecklenburg County, NC uses is market value. Home appraisers describe market value as "the most probale price which a property should bring in an open and competitive market. The buyer and seller must be motivated, and the sale must have been exposed to the market for a resonable amount of time. Furthermore, the sales must be an "arm's lenght transaction". Other values can also be used, such as, investment value, going concern value, liquadation value, etc.

Property appraisers in Charlotte, North Carolina use basic value principles in their appraisal process. The principle of anticipation says that a property's value may be affected by an expectaion of a future event. Such as a residential property turning into a commercail use, or a new highway being built next to a residential subdivision. Appraisers in Mecklenburg must research and anlyaze future uses of other properties.

Real estate appraisers offering appraisals in Charlotte NC must consider the theory or balance. Real estate in Mecklenburg is unique, immovable product. Land will tend to be at its highest value when the four factors of production are in balance, which are land, labor, capital and management. With the appropriate proportion of residential, commerical, and industrail land uses, all properties in Mecklenburg benifit by the ability of the area to attract and keep both residences and business.

All properties in Mecklenburg are influenced by the economic theory of change. No pysical or econonmic condition remains constant. Natural changes, wear and tear, economic changes, all affect the market value of properties that are located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Charlotte North Carolina Appraisers Discuess Market Value Appraisals

Real estate appraisers use recent sold comparable properties and make adjustments to those homes to make them similar to the subject property.

Here is a preferred list of residential appraisers

1. Valuation Experts, Inc.
www.valuation-expert.com 704-989-7283

1. Real Estate Appraisal - Introduction

Until the recent news reports in many of the local newspapers, many of us was unaware of what a property appraiser in Charlotte, North Carolina does. So what does a property appraiser do?
The first step that the appraiser takes is to determine and discuss the scope of work with the potential client. The scope of work may include the appraiser measuring the property, or may not include measuring of the property. Other issues concerning the scope of work are: how much investigated work will the appraiser do, and to what extent? A appraisal can be done on any property, whether it's an 1900's Victorian, to a new home in a cookie cutter subdivision.

Next the appraiser will determine who the client is, and the intended use of the appraisal, and the intended user of the appraisal. The appraiser will have a contract with the client, and therefore can only discuss the appraisal results only to the client. If at the beginning of the appraisal process, the client instructed the appraiser to include other intended users, then and only then the appraiser can discuss with other individuals the appraisals results.

2. Why get a Real Estate Appraisal and What are the Benefits?

When real estate is appreciating, not much concern to the value of the property is taken into consideration. In these markets, buyers usually buy using more emotions, and wants, and they are not really concerned about the value of the property. Now that the markets are soft, and prices are declining in some areas, a real estate appraisal may help you from making a big financial mistake. A big misconception is that a home appraisal for a lending client, is for the benefit of the home buyer. This is simply untrue. The lender orders the appraisal for their sole benefit, not the buyer. The lender wants to know what the home is worth, so they can know how much to lend on, and determine the appropriate LTV.

In soft real estate markets, I urge home buyers to order their on separate real estate appraisal. By doing this, the home buyer will become the client, and therefore less pressure for a certain value for the appraiser to get will be lessened. Unfortunately, real estate appraisers are pressured to hit values from lenders, and again, in soft or declining real estate markets, the home buyer could loose big.

What are Some of the Items that Add Value?

A real estate appraiser will look at the entire structure, and property improvements to see if any contributory value is noted. For example, in some new subdivisions, there will be a 3,000 square foot home for $400,000, and another 3,000 square foot home for $300,000, and some home buyers and real estate agents do not understand why this can be. Real estate agents and buyers both like using the cost per square foot theory to compare and determine if the property that they are considering buying is within a "ball park" range. The first home was sold for $133.00 a square foot, and the second home sold for $100.00 a square foot. By this example, one can easily see why one should not use the square foot method for determining property values. It is certainly OK to use this method as a starting point, and nothing more.

So why the huge difference in values for homes with the same square footage?

Homes in Charlotte vary in design, appeal, and quality of construction. These are the main culprits that make homes differ in price. In new construction subdivisions, prices will vary mainly do the cost to construction of the home, and the amount of upgrades of the home. The cost of construction includes the pitch of the roof; the amount of corners and out sets of the home; brick veneer front, part or whole; exterior detail, and trim work; height of ceilings, number of rooms, and bathrooms. Next, is the amount of interior upgrades. A home buyer must be careful when choosing interior upgrades. Interior upgrades can add value to your home or detract value from the home. It is also important to realize the price point of other homes in the neighborhood, and determine if the upgrades will support and make sense at the price point of the property that you are considering buying.

For example, if the median price range for the neighborhood is $200,000, it would probably not be beneficial to add travertine tile in the kitchen, and all baths, and add exotic imported Italian marble to the counter tops. Although it may be beneficial to upgrade granite counters in the kitchen, and to add hardwood floors to the lower living area. The point is that a home buyer should study the market, take into consideration the price point of the neighborhood, consider the desirability of the area, and lastly make good upgrade selections. www.charlotte-appraiser.net


1. A appraiser Charlotte NC will consider the intended user and use.
2. A real estate appraiser Charlotte NC will discuss the scope of work with the potential clients.
3. Appraisers Charlotte NC will make a condition rating of the property that is being appraised.
4. An appraiser Charlotte NC will choose comparable sales that are substitute properties for the home being appraised.
5. Appraisers Charlotte North Carolina will take into consideration the quality of construction, condition, location, and size of both the property that is being appraised, and the selected sales.

Friday, October 17, 2008

FHA appraisers in Charlotte, North Carolina describe some of the changes to FHA appraisals

FHA appraisers in Charlotte, North Carolina describe some of the changes to FHA appraisals.


Many FHA appraisal requirements have changed in the past couple of years, and many real estate agents, and property appraisers are unawhare of these changes. The following are some of the new requirements from HUD/FHA and are from the Mortgagee Letter 48-05.


In September 2005, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued Mortgagee Letter 2005-34, which announced the adoption of four of Fannie Mae’s revised appraisal reporting forms as well as the release of Revised Appendix D of Handbook 4150.2, CHG-1. This Mortgagee Letter provides additional guidance regarding FHA’s repair and inspection requirements for existing properties and the use of the Fannie Mae appraisal reporting forms. All appraisal guidance for new construction that serves as security for FHA-insured mortgages remains unchanged beyond the clarification in the Revised Appendix D that the appraiser may appraise a home that is under construction and that is 90% or more complete without benefit of plans and specifications.


In a continuing effort to reform and standardize its appraisal requirements, FHA has shifted from its historical emphasis on the repair of minor property deficiencies and now only requires repairs for those property conditions that rise above the level of cosmetic defects, minor defects or normal wear and tear. FHA Roster Appraisers are reminded to report all readily observable property deficiencies, as well as any adverse conditions discovered performing the research involved in completing the appraisal, within the appraisal reporting form. Lenders should use professional judgment and rely upon prudent underwriting practices in determining when a property condition poses a threat to the safety of an occupant and/or jeopardizes the soundness and structural integrity of the property, such that additional inspections and/or repairs are necessary.



Repair Requirements



As stated in Revised Appendix D, FHA now permits an “as-is” appraisal for existing properties that serve as security for FHA-insured mortgages when minor property deficiencies, which generally result from deferred maintenance and normal wear and tear, do not affect the safety of the occupants or the security and soundness of the property. FHA no longer requires repairs for these types of minor cosmetic deficiencies to bring a property into compliance with FHA Minimum Property Requirements. Specifically, the guidance provided in Handbook 4150.2, CHG-1, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3-6, A-7 referencing all-weather road surfaces; Paragraph 3-6, A-8 referencing poor workmanship; Paragraph 3-6, A-11 referencing debris and trash in crawl space; Paragraph 3-6, A-16 referencing steps without a handrail; Paragraph 3-6, C referencing bare floors, badly soiled carpeting and cracked plaster and sheetrock is no longer applicable. Additionally, the guidance provided in Handbook 4905.1, REV-1, Chapter 2, Paragraph 2-7, A-2 referencing all weather road surfaces; Paragraph 2-8 referencing poor workmanship and Paragraph 2-14, C referencing crawl spaces with debris and trash is no longer applicable. Any reference to the Valuation Condition form (form HUD-92564-VC) and protocol for its completion contained in Handbook 4150.2 is no longer applicable as well. Examples of minor property conditions that no longer require automatic repair for existing properties include, but are not limited to:



· Missing handrails

· Cracked or damaged exit doors that are otherwise operable

· Cracked window glass

· Defective paint surfaces in homes constructed post 1978

· Minor plumbing leaks (such as leaky faucets)

· Defective floor finish or covering (worn through the finish, badly soiled carpeting)

· Evidence of previous (non-active) Wood Destroying Insect/Organism damage where there is no evidence of unrepaired structural damage

· Rotten or worn out counter tops

· Damaged plaster, sheetrock or other wall and ceiling materials in homes constructed post- 1978

· Poor workmanship

· Trip hazards (cracked or partially heaving sidewalks, poorly installed carpeting)

· Crawl space with debris and trash

· Lack of an all weather driveway surface

If you need a home appraisal give Valuation Experts a call. We are FHA approved with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. www.valuation-expert.com

Our real estate FHA appraisers cover Mecklenburg County North Carolina, Union County North Carolina, Iredell County North Carolina, and Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Valuation Experts also offers appraisals in Charlotte NC, Pineville NC, Mint Hill NC, Indian Trail NC, Waxhaw NC, Monroe NC, Weddington NC, Matthews NC, Stallings NC, Marvin NC, Wesley Chapel NC, Huntersville NC, Davidson NC, Harrisburg NC, Mooresville NC, and Concord North Carolina.
www.charlotte-appraiser.net

For home inspections visit: www.charlottehomeinspection.net
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Waxhaw NC Appraisers

Order Waxhaw North Carolina Appraisal
The value of real estate in Waxhaw, North Carolina has risen dramatically in the past 20 years. Although as demand and supply fluctuates, not every property in Waxhaw will increase in value at the same rate. The real estate market in Waxhaw, NC has been appreciating on a linear scale. The major market forces are the population level, the strength of the national, and local economy, and the availability of financing.

Home appraisers in Waxhaw, North Carolina examine the four forces that create value. For any real estate or commodity to have value, the four elements that create value must be present. These elements are demand, utility, scarcity, and transferability. The most common type of value that an property appraiser in Waxhaw, NC uses is market value. Home appraisers describe market value as "the most probale price which a property should bring in an open and competitive market. The buyer and seller must be motivated, and the sale must have been exposed to the market for a resonable amount of time. Furthermore, the sales must be an "arm's lenght transaction". Other values can also be used, such as, investment value, going concern value, liquadation value, etc.

Property appraisers in Waxhaw, North Carolina use basic value principles in their appraisal process. The principle of anticipation says that a property's value may be affected by an expectaion of a future event. Such as a residential property turning into a commercail use, or a new highway being built next to a residential subdivision. Appraisers in Mecklenburg must research and anlyaze future uses of other properties.

Real estate appraisers offering appraisals in Waxhaw, North Carolina must consider the theory or balance. Real estate in Waxhaw is unique, immovable product. Land will tend to be at its highest value when the four factors of production are in balance, which are land, labor, capital and management. With the appropriate proportion of residential, commerical, and industrail land uses, all properties in Waxhaw benifit by the ability of the area to attract and keep both residences and business.

All properties in Waxhaw are influenced by the economic theory of change. No pysical or econonmic condition remains constant. Natural changes, wear and tear, economic changes, all affect the market value of properties that are located in Waxhaw , North Carolina. Visit our website at www.charlotte-appraiser.net