Well, today is Memorial Day, a time when we give thanks to those that have served our country. I just wanted to say “Thank You” to all of those that have served in the past, are currently serving, and to those that have paid the ultimate price for freedom. If it were not for you, [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Real Estate'
HVCC One Year Later:Are We Better Off?
April 6th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 6 Comments · Appraisal
Well, its been almost one year since HVCC has been in effect (come May 1, 2010 it will be 1 year). The question everybody is asking is: Are we better off? From my own experience as an appraiser I have to say “No”. Since the HVCC was put into motion I have seen average appraisal [...]
Tags:Alabama·Alabama Mortgage Loans·appraiser experience·appraiser qualifications·Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Appraiser·geographic competence·hvcc·Qualifications·Quality Appraisals·Real Estate·Tom Horn
Why So Many Vacant Houses?
March 20th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 5 Comments · Market Trends
I say this as if I don’t know the answer. I think I know part of the answer. In the day to day business of an appraiser we have to look at lots of houses in the MLS, both closed sales and active listings. I would say that at least half of the ones I [...]
Tags:Alabama·Birmingham·For Sale·Real Estate·Real Estate Appraisal·Vacant Homes
Foreclosures Have Big Impact on Birmingham Home Sales
March 14th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 5 Comments · Market Trends
The Birmingham Association of Realtors recently released sales data for the greater Birmingham market. Over the past 14 months the data indicates that foreclosure sales have held fairly stready with small variations, while traditional sales have varied quite a bit. The traditional sales were at a low in January then peaked around July and then [...]
Tags:Birmingham Alabama·Foreclosure Homes·Home Sales·Market Trends·Real Estate·Tom Horn
There Is No “Rule Of Thumb” in Real Estate Appraisal
February 15th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 2 Comments · Appraisal
I often get asked by homeowners how much their home should bring per square foot. This is not an easy question in today’s market. It’s impossible, with any accuracy, to throw out a figure because there are a lot of things that go into how much a home is worth. These include size of the [...]
Helping Your Home Appraise For Top Dollar
February 12th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 1 Comment · Home Improvement
Most people, at some point in their life will probably get a home appraisal. Appraisals are necessary for the following reasons: • Buying a home • Selling a home (either a marketing appraisal or appraisal after contract is signed) • Refinancing a home (either to get a lower rate or to get a home equity [...]
Tags:Alabama·alabaster·Appraisal·Birmingham·fsbo·jefferson county·marketing·pelham·Real Estate·sell·selling·shelby county·top dollar
Why pay high property taxes? Get your home reassessed!
February 9th, 2010 by Tom Horn · No Comments · Property Taxes
It’s an unfortunate but true fact: property values are declining. With the number of foreclosure properties and short sales entering the market, property values have declined in most areas. In the past a foreclosure sale, or other similar sale where the price is lower than normal, would not have been given much consideration because it [...]
Tags:Alabama Appraiser·Property Taxes·Real Estate·Reappraisal·Reassessment·Shelby County Alabama·Tom Horn
Hello Everyone!
February 7th, 2010 by Tom Horn · No Comments · Uncategorized
Welcome to BirminghamAppraisalBlog.com. My name is Tom Horn and I am a residential real estate appraiser in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area. I have set up this blog to pass along information I gather on a daily basis that may be of benefit to someone. I may sometimes run into something in my work which [...]
