The Birmingham Alabama MLS (Multiple Listing Service) has recently added an option for Realtors to list GLA (gross living area) for their listings. The new feature will go live on August 2, 2010. Realtors are given an option of entering GLA data obtained from an appraiser, building plans, or tax records.
The first two sources are [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Tom Horn'
Birmingham Alabama MLS Adds Square Foot Option to Listings
July 29th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 2 Comments · Appraisal, Appraisal Tips
Tags:Appraiser·Birmingham Alabama MLS·Birmingham MLS·GLA·House Measuring·How to measure a house·Thomas Horn·Tom Horn
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
An Alternative to Selling in A Slow Market
March 25th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 4 Comments · Appraisal Tips, Market Trends
As an appraiser I estimate value. My estimate is based on several different methods, however the approach that is usually given the most emphasis is the market approach. This approach, which is also known as the sales comparison approach, utilizes recent sales of similar homes within the subject property’s market area. In today’s economic climate [...]
Tags:AHI Corporate Housing·Alabama·Birmingham·Declining Values·Foreclosures·Jefferson County Alabama·Lease·Rent·Shelby County Alabama·Thomas Horn·Tom Horn
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
The Pre-Listing Appraisal: A Smart Choice in Today’s Market
March 1st, 2010 by Tom Horn · No Comments · Appraisal
People may think that I believe this because I am an appraiser, but it truly makes sense. I have seen it happen numerous times. A house is selling and everything has been done: contract, title, home inspection, etc. and the last thing is the appraisal. Unfortunately sometimes the value just isn’t there, and the deal [...]
Tags:AL·Alabama·Alabama Appraiser·Appraisal·Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Appraiser·Collier Swecker·marketing·Mega Agent Real Estate Team·Pre-Listing Appraisals in Birmingham·REMAX·sell·selling·Tom Horn
Is Peeling Paint Killing Your FHA Loan?
February 27th, 2010 by Tom Horn · 6 Comments · Appraisal
I recently did an inspection for an appraisal on an FHA refinance loan. It was an older home that had been undergoing some updates and renovations. One of the biggest problems I see on older homes, and one which this home had, is peeling and chipping paint. This is not an issue with conventional loans [...]
Tags:Alabama·Alabama Mortgage Loans·FHA·FHA Requirements·FHA Tips·HUD·Lead Paint·MPR·Paint·Tom Horn
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 was [...]
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 [...]
