My New Blog

Looks like with the tax credit, sales have spiked on the island so we will have to see the next month or so what happens. Summer is usually a time where careers change, the family moves, and home sales pick up. I've noticed in several area's now on Oahu that values have stabilized and in some area's increased. The main thing I tell homeowners is make sure you do the right thing and perform maintenance on your investment. I see so many homes that if they would have made the repairs or replacements. It would have made a difference. Now that summer is just around the corner get that list out, take your time and improve your investment with some maintenance.  Oh yeah, Plant some trees and flowers too. Have a great day

Vincent

As you know, things have changed the past year with the new HVCC. I think it is doing some good to the profession as it is weeding out the folks who run a report mill. I do disagree with how a company was in business for 15-20 years and is in a pool with a first year graduate. Its hard to build a business and form trust with companies that know your 100% ethical and report exactly what you find. Sometimes the answers are not the best for the borrower due to market change, owners responsibility to do repairs or maintain the property to its highest level. The times are changing and I love my career. I work on presenting the facts of each individual property as it is. 

Have a great day.

Real Value Solution Appraisals

Happy Holidays To All,

I just wanted to say I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday season as the economy has been a little crazy. News comes in everyday about some sort of problem with with Wall Street and the finacial side of the industry we are working. A slow time is the time to educate. I've been attending seminars and classes to improve the quality of service to the borrower/home owner and lender. During the course of time between expiration dates of my Certification in three states, I've been trying to obtain as much information and education as I can. The states require 28 CE credit hours and I'm well over 40 for the past two years. I feel the more I learn and apply, the better the appraisal process is for you. Thats one thing about our staff is we always want more education. My most recent class is pertaining to the Green Valuation and I thought it was VERY informative for the way builders are building for the future. Makes sense as alternative energy and green materials will be in demand. Think of owning a home that the utility company pays you each month for your excess energy. In Hawaii, folks are experiencing higher energy rates and look what the state has. An abundance of Sunshine for Solar energy. Tradewinds for wind power, the ocean for hydro power. Pretty soon when the government gets smart, you should see a place like Hawaii become more dependant on natural energy. Colorado is already in the works to become the first in technological advances with builders and designers for a Net Zero home. they are out there and when you see how they work to taken care of energy costs. As all new introductions, the cost now is high. I hope America returns to manufacturing and builds plants that make these systems. This would create jobs, start on the way to preserve energy, use less oil and build homes that are more efficient. I'm rambling so I'll conclude by saying  Have a safe and Happy Holiday season from my family to yours and Happy New Year!!!!!

Thank you for a great 2008 and a prosperous 2009.

The end of the year is just over 60 days and thats when we all get our assessment for the property we truly love. How many times have you looked at the assessment and said, wow!!! That seems pretty high and I have to pay what!!!! We all know property values are on a roller coaster lately and why should you pay if the values of your home dropped a bit. When you receive your yearly assessment for your home and feel you may want an accurate assessment to current market conditions. Please do yourself a favor and call an appraiser to appraise your property. The money spent could save you thousands. Most local government agencies will accept a current appraisal if you feel the state is a bit generous on your property value. I just know from history, not all folks are happy with what they have to pay when they receive the annual tax assessment. Don't take neighbor Joe down the streets insight on property values in the area, get a professional, well respected valuation from a Certified Residential Appraiser. I hope everyone has a Happy, safe Halloween.

Boo!!!

As we move into the summer months, I have to say, its as busy as ever during the summer months. This year unfortunately, we are completing more REO appraisals more than ever. As I shopped around the country for prices of standard appraisals, I found huge discounts in California for an appraisal. Here in Hawaii most offices have not regressed and still charge around $500.00. My company has always been for the borrower or client to save money. This summer I am keeping all my standard single family and condo appraisals at $400.00 on the island of Oahu, Honolulu County. As I market to mortgage companies and banks, I get the reaction that, they don't care what the appraiser charges, they make the borrower pay anyway, so why should they care if I'm $400, and the other offices are $500. This always amazed me that in this day with the economy issues with the fuel, food, and just about everything we buy is higher, that mortgage companies don't look to save someone else some money to better there name and reputation. Word of mouth and business reputation is gold. Our company of professionals never want to let that money factor get in the way. I will always be the better priced appraisal company no matter what states we are practicing in. Some say , you get what you pay for and thats absolutely right. A full professional Appraisal of your single family residence or condominium at an affordable price. I'm happy we have a staff that accepts that and believes in high quality, low cost appraisals that will keep Real Value Solution Appraisals in the markets for years to come.

Mahalo for stopping by.

Aloha,

The process of the review is to solidify the previous appraisal report completed by another appraiser. This is where I receive a report from a lender that was completed by another appraiser either in my county or state. Here in Hawaii I receive reports from appraisal companies in the state as I can easily travel to outer Islands on a field report. In California and Colorado I do whats called a desk review. After reviewing numerous appraisals around the state on all islands, I have to say, Am I the last honest appraiser in the State of Hawaii. One of the last.  A report of real property by an appraiser is the opinion of value for that subject based on a few guidelines by USPAP.  (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice). I love the stats that we get from the Board of Realtors in sales, Median, trends, increasing/decreasing/stable markets, local papers, and an appraisers due diligence in analyzing a market area. I thought all these were taught in classes to Residential Appraisers of all levels. Apparently some were sleeping during these studies. When you look at an area where a home was built in 1970 and is 1,500 sf of living space and sold last year for $530,000 and now this year a similar homes are selling for $440,000 in the subject area. Would you consider that a market thats increasing? Hmmm. No!  Does it help to massage the truth a bit? No! I get the feeling some appraisers think only a few will ever see the report they turned in. After experience with several Lenders/Banks, that appraisal goes through many hands. with a click of the mouse on PDF format it can be sent to anyone. I've been specializing in review work the past few years and this blog is for local appraisers in the State of Hawaii. A Duck is a Duck, deferred maintenance is visible from the street. and check the external factors that may effect value. I know everyones opinion is different and respect that. Where it becomes almost criminal is the way some have looked away from obvious problems in a SFR/Condo. On the positive note, most of the appraisals I review are outstanding with credible support of value and I'm sure you know who you are and the company your with. Some though, massage the appraisal to death!! need to examine the ethics class again. Its always nice to have business, just keep the business real. This normally wouldn't be a rant, however, Ive been noticing a trend with some reports I have reviewed here in Hawaii. Appraisers, Keep it real, honest, and accurate. If this blog offends, then maybe check yourself, I may have hit a nerve or one of your appraisals.

Mahalo