Category: Appraisal & Consulting
To inspect or not inspect? A question many appraisers ask - by Laurie Mentz Nichols
July 10, 2020
To inspect or not inspect? That is the question many appraisers have faced with the onset of the pandemic. On any given day, a residential appraiser is in and out of several homes, in addition to making stops along the way for research,
High performance buildings and stable affordable housing - by Brett Pelletier
July 10, 2020
Affordable housing is among the Counselors of Real Estate’s Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate for 2020-2021. COVID-19 has made the housing affordability challenge more widely seen and more widely felt throughout the US.
Housing pressures “helped” by COVID: Not certain, but certainly changed - by Daniel Calano
July 10, 2020
There are definitely shifts afoot in housing demand because of the coronavirus pandemic. The problem is, no one really knows how dramatically, or even in what direction, the shift will take us. Just like the economy, it all depends on how long pandemic lasts, and whether there is a vaccine in sight.
Technology in the time of COVID-19 - by Bill Pastuszek
June 12, 2020
In this jumbled, unreal, and hard time world, after a long, uncomfortable lock-down, we yearn for some semblance of normalcy. As we start to come out of the lock-down, we think about doing things that we haven’t done or haven’t been allowed to do.
Appraising in the COVID-19 market - by Steven Spangle
June 12, 2020
If there is one constant in the real estate industry it is change. Occupancy levels go up or come down, expenses increase or decrease as do rents. Ultimately values move in reactions to the changes.
New construction may be subject to pro rata taxation - by Richard Conti
June 12, 2020
One day a local contractor walked into the Taunton, Mass. assessor’s office, pointed his finger at me and said, “You are trying to put me out of business!” He had just received a July 1st real estate tax bill for a new single family home
Escape from New York - by Laurie Mentz Nichols
June 12, 2020
Escape from New York. I’m referring to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the New York and Connecticut housing markets, lest you think I’m speaking of John Carpenter’s 1981 classic sci-fi action movie, “Escape from New York,” starring Kurt Russell
President’s message: Chapter officers for 2021 - by George Demopulos
June 12, 2020
The Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute is hoping all of our friends and customers are continuing to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appraisers, just like all of our customers, clients and friends in the real estate
Manchester and surrounding area: Appraiser’s perspective - by Ron Lavallee
June 12, 2020
The residential real estate market in the greater Manchester and surrounding area markets has been strong for the past 18 – 24 months. The first quarter of 2020 showed continued appreciation in values with rates of increase in the range of 4% to 6% annually in the residential
2020 at the halfway point - by Brett Pelletier
June 12, 2020
We’re nearly halfway through 2020 and it is already promising to be a year for the history books. The country, the region, and the city of Boston have experienced unprecedented conditions imposed by the COVID-19 response and necessary safety measures.
Fed rate is zero, but mortgages aren’t: Why not? - by Daniel Calano
June 12, 2020
Back in late March, the Federal Reserve Board cut their lending rate (Fed Funds Rate) by two points, basically to zero. It was an unprecedented move, caused primarily by the economic crisis, resulting from COVID.
Appraising in a pandemic - by Maria Hopkins
May 8, 2020
When I think of those on the front lines taking care of COVID patients and risking their lives every day, it makes the problems we face as appraisers almost inconsequential. Nevertheless, we are facing real issues attempting to do our jobs and keeping ourselves and others safe.
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