Appraisal & Consulting

Mixed signals, managed expectations: Optimism abounds with plenty of investors and low rates

It's been another changeable winter. Not quite as mild as last winter. And all this could change (and does) in an instant because it's New E...

Between the lines - A soft spot in the fourth quarter

A soft spot in the forth quarter! GDP Contracts .01% based on initial government (U.S. Commerce Department) data. In the private sector four...

Getting involved - Improving outlook, business and profession

The great Billie Holiday once sang "All of me, why not take all of me"? Many appraisers might share those same feelings though not about a t...

Appraisal Institute advocates for appraiser professionals

The year ahead will hold many changes, challenges and opportunities for both residential and commercial real estate appraisers. However, one...

Real estate appraisal war stories from the trenches

You are sitting in a trench watching the front for danger when behind you are snipers in the form of a lender, borrower or regulator who is ...

Confidence and concern factors both bear watching

We are getting pretty good at waking up in the morning (as we did on 1/1/00, 12/22/12 and today 1/2/13) to find the world is still here, the...

Healthcare reform: Good or bad for real estate

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed by Congress and verified by the Supreme Court, its impact on our lives is still anything but certa...

Why 2013 matters: A survey of my various circles of friends

For an unprecedented second year, here are the results of my survey of my various circles of friends: bankers, appraisers, brokers, develope...

2012 wrap-up and 2013 risk round-up

The New Year has a running start with deficit talks half done. All will pay something for fiscal reform. Payroll tax holiday of 2% has expir...

Looking forward to serving as president of the MBREA

I am looking forward to serving as the president of the MBREA in 2013. My membership goes back over 20 years, when I first decided to become...