The Springfield Illinois housing market heated up during the coolest July on record with sales pending up substantially over a year ago. Preliminary sales reports by member brokers of the Capital Area Association of Realtors show July could finish up for the second monthly increase in a row. August closings based on current sales pending [...]
Entries from August 2009
Bottom Reached? Recovery or Stagnation for Housing?
Aug. 4th, 2009
National Network of Appraisers
Aug. 4th, 2009
The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) has raised some challenges for all parties involved with the real estate appraisal process. Appraisers in particular have some difficult decisions to make and it usually starts with selecting a reliable, client-generating appraisal management company (AMC). Generally, if an AMC is publicizing that they have the fastest growing [...]
Real Estate Call Capture to Effectively Generate and Pursue Leads
Aug. 3rd, 2009
In today’s real estate market, timing is everything. You need to know what potential buyers are interested in, which property – and when. You need to reach them when their interest is piqued, before they move on to another property. To get that edge, many agents are turning to real estate call capture systems. Call [...]
How to Easily Order Appraisals Online
Aug. 3rd, 2009
The advent of real estate technology platforms has made it increasingly easier to order appraisals online. Additionally, ordering online allows for a more streamlined approach to the appraisal transaction, ensuring increased precision of details and conserving time. Building off the aforementioned benefits, here are four reasons to strongly consider ordering appraisals online: 1) Accuracy: If [...]
Joining A National AMC
Aug. 3rd, 2009
Real estate appraisers need to carefully research various appraisal management companies (AMCs) in order to find the best working relationship possible. Not only do you have to consider your business’ bottom line, but associating yourself with a less than reputable AMC could also negatively impact your company’s reputation and, subsequently, revenue. If you’re considering joining [...]
HVCC Compliant AMC
Aug. 3rd, 2009
Taking into consideration the recent, final version (May 1, 2009) of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), which established tougher regulations for communication between appraisers and lenders/brokers, it has become fundamental to find an independent, third-party appraisal management company (AMC) which has an HVCC compliant appraisal system in place to facilitate orders correctly. Failing [...]
Getting On Approved Lender List
Aug. 3rd, 2009
As the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) declares a new relationship between lenders and appraisers – with an appraisal management company (AMC) taking on a stronger role as a sort of liaison – it has become more important for lenders to be on an AMC’s approved lender list. Doing so allows the lender to [...]
Is It a Good Time to Buy a Home?
Aug. 3rd, 2009
Austin area home sales are down from a year ago, but prices are holding steady. There are many factors making now a good time to buy: low interest rates, tax incentives for first time buyers and cooperative sellers. As consumers change their spending habits, houses are once again being seen as a long-term purchase of [...]
An Easy Way to Home Buying
Aug. 2nd, 2009
If you are looking for a great home and all you want is to find a quick and easy way to find the home of your dreams, then I am sorry, but that does not really exist. However, I can offer some tips that will help put you pretty close to that. If you want [...]
Playing The Real Estate Field
Aug. 2nd, 2009
House hunting can be a tedious process. After selecting several prospects that meet the requirements and budgetary constraints of the buyer it is up to the real estate agent to arrange showings of the desired houses and take a tour of the available offerings with the buyer to take a closer look at what houses [...]