Mary's Blog

  This link takes you to the Petition which is copied below. As Appraisers we need to make our voices heard. Please Also put your thoughts and comments in the comments section of the Petition you Sign. Many have already done so! Please pass this along to all of your Appraiser Colleagues.   Apprai...

                  Even with the Internet which allows access to "LOOK" at thousands of homes online..... Do yourself a FAVOR and Hire A Realtor.     As the saying goes...."KEEP CALM & Let a Realtor Handle It" Why? I'll give you 10 reasons why?    1. You need someone to run interference when it c...

In Case you are in need of an Appraiser who KNOWS Lake Lanier in North Georgia, here is what people are saying about our Service. With the Recent Re-Assessments of Lake Lanier Property in Hall County, You need someone who understands lake values in order to provide a realistic and TRUE market va...

Since the Announcement this week of Zillow acquiring Trulia for 3.5 Billion in Stock (see link above on the story) I thought it appropriate to have a discussion on the real difference between "Zestimates" or AVM's (Automated Valuation Models) and Appraisals.    Very Few Lenders rely on AVM's sol...

For homeowners, a real estate appraisal is the linchpin to buying or selling their home. It allows the property transactions to occur among the buyer, seller, real estate agent and mortgage lender.   Before an Appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know. By law, an appraiser must be...

Lake Lanier Tax Assessments came out in the mail a few weeks ago and our phone has been ringing off the hook. While everyone knows Lake Lanier property has been under assessed for many years. NOW the equalization or Re-Appraisal of all Lake Homes in Hall County, GA appear to be OVER-assessed. The...

THERE MAY BE SOME VARIANCES IN YOUR LOCAL MLS OR TAX RECORDS, BUT THE BASIC MESSAGE CAN APPLY TO ALL LISTINGS.      Subject: HOW FMLS LISTINGS CAN IMPROVE APPRAISED VALUES   Real Estate Appraisal News Lanier Appraisal Service Mary Thompson-Certified Appraiser                                     ...

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/96612/ As a Lake Lanier Appraiser www.lanierappraisalservice.com I can tell you those tax assessments will hit you hard in the pocket book. But there is a recourse. Read the article. I would argue first that your Boat Dock should not be TAXED as R...

Just read a featured Blog about Walking away from a Listing (link Below) Here is one way you can avoid losing that listing......Think Pre-Listing Appraisal...Read ON!   Featured AR Blog by Jody   If you want to try to KEEP that listing at a price YOU can live with.....Tell those kind of sellers t...

Just in case anyone does not think an Appraisal is worth the Cost....Please take the time to read this great Article by Diana Jacobs in the Recent Working RE Publication. http://www.workingre.com/   THEN SHARE IT! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE TRUTH........WHAT APPRAISERS MUST DO EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR EA...