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Most recent emails
Old email archives - 3/2000
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NOTE: some of the older links
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Go to Edit, then Find in Page. Some of them have been edited from the
original to correct typos and new information! I have been sending them since June, 1994.
3/28/2000 - AMC
collections/Comps.com layoffs/Fees
New this week from Appraisal Today e-news
+ Fees for comml appraisals
+ ASB and AQB are looking for a Few Good Appraisers
+ AMC payment problems
+ What’s an AMC?
+ Comps.com lays off 80 people
+ Get comml info at Pikenet
+ MBA origination stats
+ MBA spins off ecommerce co.
+ Online security
============================
>>>>>>>>>>>>> FEES FOR COMML APPRAISALS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I keep seeing more and more "one stop
shopping" sites for commercial real estate deals where appraisers pay a fee
for each job they get. For example $25 for a res appraisal order. A few res
sites also do this. The latest is www.AmeriQuotes.com
. I didn’t see any appraisal firms listed yet. Is this a referral fee or a fee
for service? Hmmm...
>>> ASB AND AQB ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW
GOOD APPRAISERS <<<
At least two positions will be open on the both Appraisal Qualifications Board
and the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation beginning in 2001.
For information on how to apply, contact the Appraisal Foundation at
202-347-7722, or go to https://www.appraisalfoundation.org/2000-vacancy.htm
.
The Appraisal Qualifications Board is working on
the problem of deficiencies in USPAP instruction. They have developed a standard
course materials and are working on instructor certification.
At their February meeting the AQB voted to study
the growing occurrence of property flipping and fraud associated with mortgage
lending. Per the AQB, "a questionnaire will be developed and sent to state
regulators and law enforcement agencies in an effort to gain a more complete
understanding of this issue."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
AMC PAYMENT PROBLEMS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Calls and emails from appraisers owed money by
AMCs has been increasing. The highest number so far is $12,000 owed by a Chicago
appraisal firm to a Southern CA AMC.
Extending credit to an AMC without corporate
backing has been risky for awhile, at least 6 months, just like with any other
lender clients without "deep pockets" such as small mortgage brokers.
I have warned about this before, either in these emails or in my
"paper" newsletter.
Countrywide (Landsafe), First American, LSI, and
other AMCs owned by large, well funded companies are a good credit risk.
Remember the "bad days" of a few years ago when many of us had too
much leased office space and too large staffs? Some of us were able to use
credit cards, home loans, etc. to keep us afloat. Some of us had big problems.
The rule of collections is The Squeaky Wheel Gets
the Grease. One of my many articles on collections is at
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/collecti.htm . To check up on an AMC, I have a
list of links at http://www.appraisaltoday.com/amcs.htm
.
In the Appraisal Institute-sponsored study of
res. appraiser incomes, on average 6.9% of appraiser business was from AMCs.
Just one of the very interesting tidbits in this survey. I reported on it in the
April issue of Appraisal Today "paper" newsletter, which went out
today to those who subscribe to my emailed PDF version. For subscribing info see
the last part of this email.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
WHAT’S AN AMC? <<<<<<<<<<<<<
A reader asked me for an "official"
definition and I don’t have one. Any suggestions?
When I posed this question in my Friday email,
here are a few of the responses (that can be published here!) Please send your
definitions to mailto:ann@appraisaltoday.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
COMPS.COM LAYS OFF 80 PEOPLE
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Last Monday, I called comps.com for an update on
their new commercial AVM product. Everyone in the AVM department had been laid
off.
In February, the purchase of Comps.com by Costar
was completed. Since then 80 people have been laid off at comps.com, primarily
non-production personnel such as marketing, per a Costar public relations
person. I was unable to get any information on their what happened to their AVM
or any other changes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GET COMML INFO AT PIKENET <<<<<<<<<<<<<
A great resource for commercial property and
market info is at http://www.pikenet.com
click on the link on the left side. The latest stuff... how to find out how many
sq.ft. of commercial space there is in the U.S. You may be surprised at the
answer!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MBA ORIGINATION STATS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
The Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA)
released its Weekly Mortgage Application Survey results last Wednesday,
reporting that mortgage loan applications for the week ending March 17 were
unchanged from last week. Compared to the same week last year, loan applications
were down 25.1 percent. For more info, go to http://www.mbaa.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MBA SPINS OFF E-COMMERCE CO.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Interesting development for a trade association.
For some info, go to http://www.lendertechnologies.com/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ONLINE SECURITY <<<<<<<<<<<<<
At last weeks REAMUG (appraisers computer user
group) meeting about 1/3 of the attendees had cable or DSL. (I have both.) For
an excellent series of four practical articles on online security by Fred Langa,
go to http://www.winmag.com/columns/explorer/2000/07.htm
=====================
You are free to send this email to anyone you
want. However, if you want to put it
into a newsletter, other printed material, or on your web site, **please contact
me** as there may be new information or typos!! The email archives are at
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/email1.htm if you missed an email or can’t find
one. I updated it this weekend.
--------------------------------------
This email just has brief information on topics.
To get the "full story,"
subscribe to my monthly "paper" Appraisal Today newsletter for $99 per
year ($149 for 2 years), call 800-839-0227 or fax 800-839-0014 (credit card
orders) or send your check to the address below. For an order form, go to http://www.appraisaltoday.com/orderfrm.htm
. For more information on the newsletter or to order a sample issue, go to http://www.appraisaltoday.com/amm.htm
or use the Appraisal Today phone/fax numbers at the end of this email.
3/15/2000 -
Flips/WIIFM/$ homes/cheap software
New this week from Appraisal Today e-news
+ Appraisal salaries
+ Loan apps up
+ MD Flip Scam
+ Listening to Station WIIFM
+ Two tech links - CD-RW/DVD and web hosting
+ $1 homes
>>>>>>>>>>>>> APPRAISAL SALARIES <<<<<<<<<<<<<
I've been thinking about doing an article on appraiser salaries for quite a
while. Guess its finally time. I went to the big job site,
http://www.monster.com and found a few appraiser listings. I did find a few
very interesting listings on http://www.guru.com
, a site where consultants list their services. Appraisal services priced from $50 to $200 per hour.
Any sites you'd recommend? Please send email to me at
mailto:ann@appraisaltoday.com .
Who cares about appraiser salaries if you're a fee appraiser? Sometimes it looks better on the "other side" when you're tired of picky, whiney clients
and the big ups and downs in workloads! Plus, that regular salary is sometimes tempting...
>>>>>>>>>>>>> LOAN APPS UP <<<<<<<<<<<<<
For the week ending 3/3/2000, per the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), overall res. loan origination volume was up 18.2% from one week ago, up
3.2% from 4 weeks ago, and down 22.3% from the same week a year ago. Refis were up 21% from a week ago, down 13.6% from 4 weeks ago, and down 69.6%
from a year ago. Purchases were up 17.6% from a week ago, up 7.3% from 4 weeks ago, and up 11.8% from a year ago.
Long-term mortgage rates have been dropping over the past 2 weeks so you may have seen an upswing in business. But the Fed is meeting March 21 and a
rate hike is expected. Borrowers may be rushing to lock in their rates if they can.
To see the past, from 1990 to today, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/mbastats.htm
. Warning - can take awhile to download!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> MD FLIP SCAM (repeat of Friday email) <<<<<<<<<<<<<
More on the Baltimore flip scam - March 9 article in the Baltimore Sun. Go
to http://www.sunspot.net and search for mortgage fraud. A federal grand
jury indicted five men yesterday in an alleged mortgage fraud scheme, including an appraiser, G. Samson
Ugorji.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> LISTENING TO STATION WIIFM <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Here's an excerpt from my Marketing for Appraisers book (3,000 copies sold).
The purpose of your promotional efforts is to communicate your message: what distinguishes your appraisal firm from your competitors. For example,
you provide heavily researched, believable expert witness testimony for attorneys. Or, you always get your appraisal assignments completed by the
due date. Or, you always cheerfully return phone calls within 24 hours, and provide extra addenda, comps, or explanations within 48 hours. Or, you work
a wide geographic area.
The message will tell your clients WIIFM - What's In It For Me. It doesn't do much good to try to show how well documented and supported your
appraisal reports are if the prospective client only wants fast turnaround.
If you can't provide fast turnaround, you're wasting your time. You communicate your message to your target market by using such methods as
advertising, publicity, direct sales, and indirect methods, such as networking, speaking, writing, and teaching.
For more info on my marketing books and audiotapes, free sample chapters, and free articles, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/marketing.htm
. Or
call 800-839-0227 to order the books and tapes or get a brochure.
FYI I don't make much money on the books and tapes. My money comes from my paid newsletter subscriptions. I wrote the books to help appraisers during
the "bad days" of a few years ago. Most appraisers are weak on marketing. I have lots and lots of ideas. If you do anything you will be ahead of many
appraisers who just wait for the phone or fax to ring!!
What I find really amusing is appraisers who tell me about their "secret"
marketing ideas they don't want anyone else to know about. How many of them are unique? None. What if they put up a big billboard about their idea that
all their competitors could see? Very few would do anything.... Most of us are stuck in the same old marketing ruts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> TWO TECH LINKS - DVD AND WEB HOSTING <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Check out PC Magazine's reviews of CD-RWs and DVD RAM Drives at http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,2448917,00.html .
Seems like my Zip drives are becoming antiques!!
What's the best Web site host? See what Fred Langa says at
http://www.winmag.com/help/2000/webhosting/
. Langa switched ISPs and his Web site was down for 4 days. I guess if it happens to him I shouldn't
whine (too much) about mine being down for 4 days because my ISP moved my files without telling anyone!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> $1 HOMES <<<<<<<<<<<<<
HUD has decided to sell thousands of government-owned homes to local
governments for $1. The homes can then be sold or rented to first-time
buyers or to groups that will use them to provide such services as child
care or job training centers. Full Story:
http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20000306_hud.htm
3/30/00 Special report - appraiser income
>
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>starting at just $99/year. Internet appraiser directories are popping up
>every day but Feeappraiser.com is best known in the mortgage industry and
>is the only appraiser directory that guarantees results.
>
>Compare Internet appraiser directories at:
>http://www.Feeappraiser.com/comparison.htm
>
>What does the mortgage industry think of Feeappraiser.com? Click below for
>a recent review in the Mortgage Originator magazine:
>http://www.mortgageoriginator.com/monthly/web_review.htm
>For further information please call toll free (888)407-7557.
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>1997 "all appraisers" survey
>
>A national survey was mailed to 1,200 appraisers in September, 1997.
>Here are some of the numbers:
>
>Annual Income Avg. - $58,132, Min- $12,500, max- $225,000
>Experience in years = Avg - 17, Min. -3, Max - 52
>Bachelor's degree - 56%
>Master's degree - 10%
>Certified residential - 37%
>Certified general - 51%
>Male - 80%
>Minority - 6%
>Company owner - 56%
>
>According to this survey, who makes the most money? Men with bachelor's
>degrees, with MAI designations and many years of experience. Here are the
>factors that affect income:
>- Experience - about 1.6 to 1.9% increase for each year
>- Firm ownership - about 13% increase in income
>- Education
> Bachelor's degree - 12% increase
> Master's degree - no significant effect
>- Level of state certification- - Residential certified - 22% increase over
>state licensed // General certified - 18% increase over state licensed
>- Appraisal Institute designation
> SRA or RM - 18% increase
> MAI - 26% increase
>------------------------------------
>1998 survey results - residential appraisers
>The same researchers from Washington State University sent questionnaires
>to a national random sample of 4,000 real estate appraisers that included
>1,000 SRAs and 3,000 appraisers listed on the national registry of
appraisers.
>
>The results showed that statistically, SRAs earned an average of 26 percent
>more, or about $13,000 gross annually, compared to their non-SRA
>counterparts. This is the statistical difference in income just for the SRA
>designation.
>
>Here are the numbers (avg. For all appraisers)
>Cert. Gen. - 29.8%
>Cert. Res. - 55.3%
>Licensed - 14.5%
>
>Age - 47.3
>Male - 76%
>Firm owner - 75.1%
>Years of exper.- -14.6
>-------------------------
>Report types
>
>URAR - 69.9
>ERC - 2.8%
>2055 - 5.9% (int. Insp)
>2055 - 3.7% (ext. Insp)
>1025- 3.0% (2-4 units)
>2075 3.6% (inspection only)
>Field review - 3.0%
>Desk review - 2.4%
>-----------
>Types of clients - all appraisers
>Lending instit. - 42%
>Mort. Companies - 32.5%
>Reloc. Companies - 3.2%
>Appr. Mgmt. com. - 6.9%
>Attorneys - 4.2%
>Individuals - 5.7%
>---------------------
>What correlates the highest with residential appraiser income?
>The study analyzes the differences between the low quartile ($45,000 gross
>income or less) and the high quartile ($120,000 gross income and higher).
>
>Higher income appraisers tend to be younger than low income appraisers, and
>are more apt to be male, firm owners,located in an urban county, to have a
>bachelor's degree, to hold a general certificate.
>
>They are less likely to be affiliated with a firm providing nonresidential
>appraisal services and more likely to be affiliated with a firm providing
>review appraisal services or providing litigation support and expert
>witness services or a firm providing counseling and consulting services.
>High income residential appraisers also spend more time doing litigation
>work, reviews, consulting, and office and personnel management. They are
>also more likely to appraise high priced homes, use digital cameras, use
>email and a company or personal web site, use sketching and form filling
>software, and use MLS computerized data. SRAs are more likely to be in the
>high income quartile than the low income quartile (61.9% v. 22.9%).
>-------------------
3/8/2000 - Seminars/envelopes/Top 10
New this week from Appraisal Today e-news
+ Seminars in Northern California
+ Envelopes and collections
+ Feb. USPAP Q&As - oral reports
+ Loan apps up and down
+ Appraiser links page updated
+ Appraiser featured on new Web site
+ Predatory lending
+ Top 10 influences of the past and future
+ Somebody wants "real" appraisals
+ Exxamm over but maybe not over
*************SPONSOR**********************
Special E-appraiser subscriber offer-75% off the Account Establishment Fee
(up to $150). DataQuick Property Pro CD from Acxiom is the ultimate real
property solution for appraisers. Get accurate, detailed property profiles,
sales comps, plat maps and more. Increase productivity, save time, and save
money! Go to http://www.dataquick.com/propertypro4 and save!
******************************************
>>>>>>>>>>>>> SEMINARS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA <<<<<<<<<<<<<
California is on a 4 year continuing education cycle, so I am starting up
my seminar business again, after a 2 year hiatus.
If you need California CE credit, here's the list of OREA approved seminars
(63 hours of total credit) - all offered in Pleasanton, CA:
- April 24 - Profitable Appraising, How to Maximize Profits in - Your
Appraisal Business - 7 hours credit
- April 25 & 26 - Residential Appraisal Problem Solving - 14 hours credit
- April 27 - USPAP for the Practicing Appraiser - 7 hours credit
- April 28 - Computers for Appraisers - 7 hours credit
- May 22 - California Architectural Styles for Appraisers - 7 hours credit
- May 23 - Title and escrow for Appraisers - 7 hours credit May 24
- USPAP for the Practicing Appraiser - 7 hours credit
- May 25 - The Internet for Appraisers - 7 hours credit
- May 26 - Real Estate Fraud and the Appraisers Role - 7 hours credit
Prices: One day: $135, 2-3 days: $125 each day, and 4+ days: $115 each day.
For more information, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/no__ca_seminars.htm
. Or, call 800-839-0227
for information or to register.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ENVELOPES AND COLLECTIONS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Thanks to appraiser Richard Exton for this great tip sent by email! If you
have any tips, let me know. You may see your name in one of these emails!
" Four years ago I attended a seminar where the speaker suggested several
way to thank clients for their business. While most did not seem to fit
me, one suggestion was to include return envelops with your billings. Since
the majority of my clients are individuals I spent some money and had
return envelopes printed. I remember that the accounts receivable seemed
to improve and the speed of payment seem to increase.
"By the end of 1999 I had run out of return envelopes and since my
neighborhood printer had move out I just could not get around to getting
more printed. As I reviewed my finances at the end of February I was
surprised to notice that my receivables have increased significantly and
the timeliness of payments seems to have decreased.
"My new return envelopes should be ready on Monday."
>>>>>>>>>>>>> FEB. USPAP Q&AS - ORAL REPORTS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
The February, 2000 USPAP Q&As from the ASB answers this question: An
attorney hired me to prepare an appraisal. He asked that I not prepare a
report but rather discuss my conclusions with him orally. I have done that
and he concluded that my opinion will not be helpful to his client and
therefore does not want a written report. What are my obligations under
USPAP in this situation? For the answer, go to
https://www.appraisalfoundation.org/2000-2qa.htm
>>>>>>>>>>>>> LOAN APPS UP AND DOWN <<<<<<<<<<<<<
For the week ending 2/25/2000, per the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA),
overall res. loan origination volume was down 3.1% from one week ago, down
2.1% from 4 weeks ago, and down 40.7% from the same week a year ago. Refis
were down 7.1% from a week ago, down 18.9% from 4 weeks ago, and down 79.4%
from a year ago. Purchases were down 2.3% from a week ago, up 2% from 4
weeks ago, and down 7.6% from a year ago.
Long-term mortgage rates slipped back below 8% level on Friday but Fed
Chairman Greenspan keeps strongly hinting about rate increases.
To see the past, from 1990 to today, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/mbastats.htm
. Warning - can take awhile to
download!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> APPRAISER LINKS PAGE UPDATED <<<<<<<<<<<<<
I finally got my appraiser links page updated - I was way behind. When I
offered to put appraisers links on for free, I expected a few links a week.
Wrong!! I am up to over 300 appraiser web sites... and growing every week.
Check it out at http://www.appraisaltoday.com/applinks.htm
.
Highlighted links are free - just give me a reciprocal link on your web
site.
I have a Jump Menu on every page with links to the main/hot topics, such as FHA and the appraiser links page.
Be sure to check your link - I only check about half of them plus have put
a few appraisers in the wrong state!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> APPRAISER FEATURED ON NEW WEB SITE <<<<<<<<<<<<< Appraiser
Randy Bell AKA "Mr. Disaster" (my nickname) is featured on Vistainfo's new
web site in Disaster Central http://www.nearrmyhome.com/
- Well worth
checking out!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> PREDATORY LENDING <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Predatory lending is a hot topic. For info on the proposed legislation to
expand the 1994 law that requires additional disclosures on high-cost
loans, go to :
http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20000228_predatory.htm
>>>>>>> TOP 10 INFLUENCES OF THE PAST AND FUTURE <<<<<<<
For a fascinating story about the past and future of development, go to
http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/research/metropolis1/index.html
The Top Ten Influences of the Past
Interstate Highway System
FHA
Levittown-Type Tract Housing
Air Conditioning
Shopping Malls
Sunbelt-Style Sprawl
De-Industrialization of Central Cities
Urban Renewal / Public Housing
Racial Segregation / Job Discrimination
Urban Riots of the 1960s
The Top Ten Influences of the Future
Growing Disparities of Wealth
Perpetual Underclass
Deterioration of Inner Suburbs
Expanding Highways / Outer Beltways
Suburban Political Majority
Smart Growth
Racial Integration / Diversity of Cities
Aging Baby Boomers
Shrinking Household Size
Internet Technology
"In an effort to better understand the most significant influences on the
American city and metropolitan development during the past 50 years and
into the next millennium, the Fannie Mae Foundation commissioned a survey that asked urban scholars to rank the key influences shaping the American
metropolis."
Thanks (again and again) to our never-tiring Web searcher, Michael
Cartwright for this great link...
>>>>>>>>>>>>> SOMEBODY WANTS "REAL" APPRAISALS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Appraisers look beyond numbers to provide insightful market data and property reports"
- a positive article on appraisers in the February issue of the National Real Estate Investor magazine at -
http://www.nreionline.com/content/0001n1/0001feature3.html
. (Thanks,
again, to Michael Cartwright for this info.)
In my opinion, availability of data increases the demand for analysis for
clients who really want to know what a property is worth. Have you ever had
your home "valued" online? The data provided often is old or doesn't make
much sense. Appraisers make sense of the data. FYI, I am doing very little
lender work now as the future belongs to appraisers who do analysis, not
just see if they can "come up with" a value needed by a lender.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> EXXAMM OVER BUT MAYBE NOT OVER <<<<<<<<<<<<<
I took my MAI comprehensive exam last Monday and Tuesday. It was really
hard and grueling. Did I pass all four sections of the exam? No way to
tell. I definitely found out what I was weak on. Was it worth it? I did
learn quite a bit as it had been 11 years since my last class. Many thanks
to Ted Whitmer for his prep class, especially the emphasis on the goal of
passing 2 of the 4 sections, which really helped me keep a positive
attitude during the exam as I ran out of time on three of the four
sections. If I have to re-take any of the exams I will definitely practice
fast test-taking!
Thanks again to all those who sent me emails of encouragement plus some
very useful exam tips!!
You are free to send this email to anyone you want. However, if you want to
put it into a newsletter, other printed material, or on your web site,
**please contact me** as there may be new information or typos!! The email
archives are at http://www.appraisaltoday.com/email1.htm if you missed an
email or can't find one. I updated it this weekend.
--------------------------------------
To advertise in my subscription "paper" newsletter or on
http://www.appraisaltoday.com send email to mailto:ann@appraisaltoday.com
.
For info go to http://www.appraisaltoday.com/advert.htm
Or call
800-839-0227.
-------------------------------------
This email just has brief information on topics. To get the "full story,"
subscribe to my monthly "paper" Appraisal Today newsletter for $99 per year
($149 for 2 years), call 800-839-0227 or fax 800-839-0014 (credit card
orders) or send your check to the address below. For an order form, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/orderfrm.htm . For more information on the
newsletter or to order a sample issue, go to http://www.appraisaltoday.com/amm.htm
or use the Appraisal Today phone/fax numbers at the end of this email.
3/1/2000 - links/referrals/prettypark
New this week from Appraisal Today e-news
+ Loan apps up and down
+ A few good links
+ Marketing tips - referrals
+ Prettypark virus is back
+ Test-o-mania
*************SPONSOR**********************
Special E-appraiser subscriber offer-75% off the Account Establishment Fee
(up to $150). DataQuick Property Pro CD from Acxiom is the ultimate real
property solution for appraisers. Get accurate, detailed property profiles,
sales comps, plat maps and more. Increase productivity, save time, and save money! Click here and save! Go to
http://www.dataquick.com/propertypro4 for
more!
******************************************
>>>>>>>>>>>>> LOAN APPS UP AND DOWN <<<<<<<<<<<<<
For the week ending 2/18/2000, per the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), overall res. loan origination volume was down 1.3% from one week ago, up
18.8% from 4 weeks ago, and down 20.5% from the same week a year ago. Refis were down 10.1% from a week ago, down 9.8% from 4 weeks ago, and down 71.8%
from a year ago. Purchases were up 0.2% from a week ago, up 26.6% from 4 weeks ago, and up 25.2% from a year ago.
So what does this mean for you? Appraisals typically lag behind loan apps,
so these stats predict the future - for first mortgages anyway!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> A FEW GOOD LINKS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
http://leardo.lib.uwm.edu/other.html
- lots and lots of mapping links.
What's my favorite? Yahoo, which uses Mapquest like lots of other sites!
Thanks to Neill F. McDonald for posting this link on the AI email forum.
http://www.narappraisalsource.com
- NAR now offers appraisal info to all
its appraiser members, even if you're not a member of the Appraisal
Section. Some good links, particularly for federal appraisal guidelines,
such as Fish and Game. (Listed under Links, Online Appraisal Standards and Guidelines. You can register for appraisal news by email. I am registered
with NAR, and my password is stored on my computer, so I couldn't test if it is password protected. If it is go to
http://www.onerealtorplace.com
to register.
Appraisal email lists
Two active appraiser email discussion lists are: -
the appraisal marketing list. To join, go to
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/appraisalmarketing
- alamode/Total users group. To join, go to www.onelist.com/subscribe/Total2000UsersGroup
For more online resources for communicating with other appraisers, go to
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/appr__online.htm
Just For Fun - http://www.didyouknow.com/
- lots of fascinating trivia,
such as "Who was the world's first successful freelance musician? No, it
wasn't David Bowie. It was Beethoven." and "Did you know that the world's
first novel was written by a woman? That was in the year 1007." Also
http://www.epguides.com/ - Episode Lists for over 1475 TV shows. Where did
I get these links? From a Computer Newsletter called Lockergnome at
http://www.lockergnome.com/ . It's not too geeky and definitely not too
boring!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> MARKETING TIPS - REFERRALS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
25. Immediately acknowledge receipt of a referral, preferably in writing,
or at least a phone call. Then you'll be more likely to get another one.
Lunch is a possibility.
26. After meeting a possible referral source or prospect at a mixer or
meeting, promptly send a personal letter or note to the person. Refer to
something in your conversation (take notes on their business card so you
don't forget).
For 57 more tips, go to http://www.appraisaltoday.com/marketin2.htm
.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> PRETTYPARK VIRUS IS BACK <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Another virus is making a comeback - prettypark. I have received it from
other appraisers by email as it attaches itself to outgoing emails.
Here's the details from McAfee - http://www.mcafee.com/viruses/prettyworm
W32/Pretty.worm.unp arrives via email from affected users who have also
run this Internet worm. It appears as an attachment titled "Pretty
Park.exe", with the icon of a character from the animated television
series "South Park".
This worm will try to email itself automatically every 30 minutes to all
email addresses listed in the Internet address book.
Please don't send virus hoaxes. For info go to:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
- a more comprehensive list than McAfee. Also in larger type so it can be read!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> TEST-O-MANIA <<<<<<<<<<<<<
If you sent me your web site address and it isn't up yet at
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/applinks.htm
, my apologies. I am way behind on everything!!
Last week I wrote that the pass rate on the MAI comprehensive exam is "well under 50%." Well... that is an estimate based on my very unscientific
survey plus Ted Whitmer's estimate of the pass rate for those who take his
prep class.
Because I was studying for the exam I didn't go to the Inman Real Estate
Connect conference in San Francisco last week so I could see all the
under-30 real estate dot-commers who are "going IPO" and getting rich.
So... sorry No News!!
Many thanks (again) to all who emailed their advice and support. It's never
too late! (I'm 54 and have been appraising 20 years.)
Why get an MAI? I was at a local fund raising dinner two weeks ago. A local
CPA was sitting next to me who does tax returns for estates. I asked him
which appraisers he prefers. He said he likes appraisals done by MAIs as he thinks they are more credible to the IRS. I do quite a bit of estate and
trust appraisals. I told the CPA I would call him when I get my MAI. I'm
hoping that I can get some of those big estate jobs (10-20 properties)
after I get my MAI!
My deadline for this newsletter is 5PM on Tuesday, California time. Since I
will be finishing my comp exam then, you'll have to wait until next week to
get the story!!
==============================
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**please contact me** as there may be new information or typos!! The email
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email or can't find one.
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