Ascension Parish Real Estate Home Appraisers » Ascension Parish Home Subdivision Video Tours

Geismar LA Home Appraisers Housing Trends: Legacy Hills May 2011 Update

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:24:18 +0000

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – Geismar LA Home Appraisers Housing Trends: Legacy Hills May 2011 Update. According to the charting below, the Average Sales Prices have declined each year since 2007. The Average Sales Prices have declined from $419,800 to $375,400 to $364,800 to $358,600 to $320,000 in 2011. The $320,000 in 2011 is only based on one (1) home sale year to date. And, NO, the 2011 was not a distressed sale, but rather a much smaller home with 2,418sf selling for a strong $132/sf.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2007 to May 31, 2011. This information was extracted on 5/31/2011. YES, permission was granted by GBRMLS to use Subdivision Price Trends Chart Report!

Bill Cobb is Greater Baton Rouge’s Home Appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A home appraiser with 20 years experience, Bill Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a home appraiser.

Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).

Contact Bill Cobb and Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group for your next home appraisal:
Office: 225-293-1500, Cell: 225-953-0638
Fax: 1-866-663-6065
info@accuratevg.com
http://www.accuratevg.com/

Can Ascension Parish Real Estate Agents Talk To Home Appraisers During A Purchase Appraisal?

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:14:38 +0000

Can Ascension Parish Real Estate Agents Talk To Home Appraisers During A Purchase Appraisal? In short, they absolutely can!

HVCC was retired yet the policies it set in motion remain in motion. Now, Dodd-Frank’s Appraiser-Independence Legislation is the rule of the day and there is a lot of confusion out there between both Home Appraisers and Real Estate Agents on communication! I just had an Agent this week contact me complaining about an Appraiser that came in short on an appraisal because the Appraiser didn’t understand the home on the river had 2 boat slips instead of just 1. This Agent didn’t understand that he could have spoken with the appraiser at the beginning to clear all facts up about this property.

The November 8, 2010 article in Live Valuation Magazine written by Larry Disney, Change to Appraisal and Appraiser Regulation Has Arrived – Are You Ready? sheds some light on this topic. The language in the new Dodd-Frank legislation appears to help the communication process between Agents and Appraisers and Sellers and Borrowers. For example, in this article, Mr. Disney states,

“The above language is not meant to imply that mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers, real estate brokers, appraisal management companies, employees of appraisal management companies, consumers, or any other person with an interest in a real estate transaction cannot ask an appraiser to consider additional information, including comparable sales; provide further detail, substantiation, or explanation for an opinion of value; and correct errors in the appraisal report.“

It sounds to me like Agents can communicate with home Home Appraisers.

I asked two (2) nationally known Home Appraisers these questions below:

At what point can the RE Agent talk to the appraiser regarding the purchase appraisal?

*When the initial appraisal inspection is setup?
*After the appraiser has inspected the property?
*If only at the initial setup, then can that agent provide their comps / support then to avoid an appeal later?
*What’s your policy or understanding on this?

*Was I wrong in what I’ve told this agent that asked me below:

I as an appraiser have always considered there to be 3 Real Estate Professionals in the deal: Listing Agent, Selling Agent and Appraiser. To avoid appeals, I ask for the Agent’s comps at the time I set the inspection up. Some Agents are offended that I do this because they take it as if I’m questioning them. I’m not questioning, just trying to give them their opportunity to “talk” to the appraiser before I go out for the inspection and avoid an appeal later. I think you should be proactive with Appraisers and take as much control of your deals as possible……and that’s done initially when the appraiser calls to set up the appraisal inspection. It’s a myth that Agents can’t talk to Appraisers, it’s just that the communication must take place before the appraiser inspection and not after the inspection.

Their two (2) responses I received are below:

In summary, one Appraiser stated that there has been a lot over reaction and that they try to talk to the Agents of most deals. If a value issue arises, the appraiser said he contacts them for their data, which could be before or after the inspection, without letting on that there is a value issue.

Washington State Appraiser, Dave Towne, Said:

“I’m with you on this. I sometimes will ask agents for their ‘cma’, saying “I want to be sure I understand how you priced this property at the time of listing. I want to be sure I don’t miss any properties that you may have considered.” I do this when I determine the price is too high based on comps I pre-research prior to inspecting.

Often, they don’t even have those in their file, and just provide listings at inspection time that support the price, but that are not necessarily comps from our perspective.

An appraiser has to be careful about accepting carte blanche properties provided by someone financially connected to the deal. But I don’t think trying to understand the preliminary pricing process is out of line. However, after the inspection and the report is complete/submitted, that’s not the time to complain – especially if the agent was uncooperative at the start.

We are supposed to ‘verify’ every sale. That involves communication with the players involved prior to report completion. Unfortunately agents sometimes have an adversarial attitude, and appraisers don’t do an effective job discussing this. I think you do, based on your info.

And anyone connected to the assignment can discuss aspects of the property with the appraiser in advance of report submittal, as long as there is no attempt to influence the value.”

What does the Home Appraiser’s Client Instructions Say About This Topic – The AMC’s or Appraisal Management Companies?

I reviewed three (3) recent appraisal orders for home purchases. These Appraisal Orders were 8 pages, 3 pages and 4 pages in length. None of these orders stated the Appraiser couldn’t communicate with the Agent. Two sets of the instructions read,

“Purchases require that you review the sales contract and state in report that contract was reviewed. Obtain contract from Agent/Contract or Contact AMC for help. Contract must be fully executed.” Fully executed means the contract must have ALL signatures or you the Agent hold up the deal!

“For Purchase transactions, if AMC does not provide you with the sales contract governing the transaction, you must contact us or the borrower/REALTOR to obtain it.”

Conclusion. It appears from ALL sources reviewed that Agents can communicate with Appraisers during a purchase transaction. My advice as a Home Appraiser is to provide the Appraiser with a list of relevant features, upgrades, your Sketch showing your measurements and a list of your supportable comps used to market the property. By providing your comps up front, you are avoiding an appeal after the appraisal is completed, which will also help speed the closing process.

Why Did I just state, “your Sketch showing your measurements”? Because in the month of May in my market, one deal did not appraise and another deal was very, very close simply because the Agents either did not measure the homes, simply copied a previous incorrect MLS listing or measured them incorrectly per the National “ANSI” Standards. The MLS Listings were incorrect by 173sf and 215sf. The 173sf error was in a market where homes were selling in the $121/sf range. If you have your own sketch, you can be sure that your listing is the right size, priced properly and be less questionable in terms of the appraisal.

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).

Prairieville Home Appraisals Reports On Les Chenier Subdivision 2011

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:30:21 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/ascrebuzz – Prairieville Home Appraisals Reports On Les Chenier Subdivision 2011. So far, only one (1) home sale in 2011, a foreclosure for $155,000.

I had a local real estate agent contact me last week asking for a update on Les Chenier Subdivision as there really hasn’t been much home sales activity in this development, but a development that has experienced some REO or foreclosure activity.

This development has puzzled me for several years as to how it climbed so high in home prices after Hurricane Katrina for these smaller homes. The Median Sales Prices from 2005 to 2010 climbed and then rightfully so corrected from $167,000, $186,000, $191,000, $195,250, $193,500, $180,000 and now one (1) distressed sale in 2011 for $155,000. It would appear that the $193,500 to $195,000 price range is high for Les Chenier, or about $117/sf. I’m just not sure that over $117/sf is really sustainable for Les Chenier interior lots (those homes not fronting McCrory Rd 1). And, I just posted a video report about the housing price corrections taking place in in this immediate market here: Ascension Parish Home Appraiser Charting Of Declining Housing Market 2008-2011

Total # 2010 Sales: 7
Average Sales Price: $191,964
Median Sales Price: $180,000
Average Sold Price: $111.60/sf
Average List To Sale Price Ratio: 98%
Average Days On Market: 85

FORECLOSURES.

Regarding REOs, 1 2010 sale was an REO and the 1 2011 sale was an REO or Real Estate Owned. According to Legal News, there have been 3 REO sales since 1/2010 being Lots 25, 29 & 90.

CURRENT LISTINGS: ZERO FORECLOSURES!

There are currently 6 listings from $179,900 up to $210,900 or $114/sf up to $126/sf, which some are priced high and certainly not priced according to the correction in home prices taking place in this market. In fact, if one examines the 2007 to 2009 highs in the market on that chart above, the average sold prices per sq. ft. were $116.51/sf, $119.53/sf and $115.38/sf. And, per the chart, in 2010, the average sold price was $111.60/sf in Les Chenier. So, why in 2011, when the market isn’t as strong, are there homes listed above the previous highs, homes listed at $120/sf, $125/sf, $126/sf and $126/sf? And, why are there homes listed $14/sf above the $111.60/sf support level? These are questions potential buyers should be asking. And, I would strongly recommend an A.V.G. Pre-Purchase Home Appraisal before buying the higher priced listings in Les Chenier. Of all 6 listings, all are Active and none are Pending.

Keep Up With Ascension Parish Real Estate Buzz on Facebook!

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2005 to April 23, 2011. This information was extracted on 4/23/2011. YES, permission was granted by GBRMLS to use Subdivision Price Trends Chart Report!

Top Subdivision Entrance Photo Is Courtesy of Homes Of Baton Rouge Blog: http://www.homesalesofbatonrouge.com/

Author’s Bio:

Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).

Prairieville Home On 1 Acre For Sale: 16131 La Hwy 431 Prairieville LA 70769

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:31:17 +0000

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Prairieville Home On 1 Acre For Sale: 16131 La Hwy 431 Prairieville LA 70769, North Ascension Parish Real Estate. Built in 1991 with 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms on approximately 1 acre.

Darryl Brasseur, with Brasseur Realty, has a new listing at 16131 La Hwy 431 Prairieville LA 70769.

Details about this new listing can be found by clicking the listing image below.

Darryl says, “This is a one of a kind! This beautiful custom 2 story French style home is situated on a corner lot with approximately 1 acre of land. There is a stocked coy pond with an island and gazebo. Swim year round in the kidney shaped, heated, gunite pool with waterfall. The inside and out has been totally renovated including floors, fixtures, paint, & appliances. There is a detached building that would be perfect for an office. NO FLOOD ZONE!”

Tags: Ascension Parish, Ascension Parish Homes For Sale, Prairieville Homes For Sale, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Homes On Acreage For Sale, Brasseur Realty

Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal: SFREP Appraisal Software Helps Underwriter Communication

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:16:13 +0000

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal: SFREP Appraisal Software Helps Underwriter Communication

SFREP or Software for Real Estate Professionals is a local real estate appraisal software company founded by R. Wayne Pugh, MAI. SFREP recently added a new mapping feature to their “Appraise-It” product, which aids the appraiser in better communication with the underwriters.

Video Link Is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtoXLINgvz8

Kendalwood Subdivision Housing Update 2011 Prairieville LA 70769

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 01:14:36 +0000

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – Kendalwood Subdivision Housing Update 2011 Prairieville LA 70769

Prairieville La Home For Sale: 40054 Summer Brooke Ave Prairieville LA 70769

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:54:31 +0000

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Prairieville La Home For Sale: 40054 Summer Brooke Ave Prairieville LA 70769

Also, be sure to check out the “Sisters Tak’n Care Of Business” Blog!

Tags: Baton Rouge Homes For Sale, Prairieville Homes For Sale, Ascension Parish Real Estate, Gonzales La Homes For Sale, 40054 Summer Brooke Ave, Baton Rouge Real Estate

Prairieville Real Estate Appraisers: Fountain Hill Subdivision 2010 Price Trends

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:04:49 +0000

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – Prairieville Real Estate Appraisers: Fountain Hill Subdivision 2010 Price Trends.

Overall there really isn’t much to report on in 2010. Per GBRAR MLS, there was only 1 2010 sale (and only 1 MLS sale in 2009) in Fountain Hill Subdivision for $383,000 on 8/31/2010 for 3,625sf. This home sold for $105.66/sf as a foreclosure. The photo of this home is directly below. The bank took this home back for a mortgage balance of $344,000 and still sold it for a substantial profit in this market. This appraiser has performed two (2) foreclosure appraisals in Fountain Hill Subdivision in 2010.

My search of 2010 Legal News for Fountain Hill Subdivision also revealed another foreclosure for $246,666 in March 2010. Also per Legal News, there was a lot sale for $79,000 for Lot 60 in 12/2010.

The trend is looking up for 2011 for Fountain Hill Subdivision with one (1) 2011 sale for $450,000 for only 3,184sf or $141.33/sf. Given the past 2.5 years of lackluster and foreclosure activity within Fountain Hill, this was a very, very high sales price for Fountain Hill specificially and shows strength within the Prairieville market. It’s also note here that this was a “Cash Sale” where an appraisal may or may not have been procured to know the true value. This home was on the market for a total of 668 days in two (2) seperate MLS listings. In any event, this is a positive for Fountain Hill, for Northern Ascension Parish and for the Prairieville market in general.

Fountain Hill Subdivision Photos!

[Show as slideshow]

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. This information was extracted on 1/11/2011. Yes, this appraiser has obtained permission from GBRAR MLS to use the above pricing chart!

Tags: Ascension Parish Appraisers, Ascension Parish Home Appraisers, Ascension Parish Real Estate, Ascension Parish Real Estate Appraisers, Prairieville LA, Fountain Hill, 70769

Home Appraisers In Prairieville La 70769: Manchac Place Subdivision Home Price Trends in 2010

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:36:34 +0000

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – Home Appraisers In Prairieville La 70769: Manchac Place Subdivision Home Price Trends in 2010

Solds In Manchac Place from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $292,618 ($290,000 in 2009)

Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $99.34/sf ($91.14/sf in 2009)

Median Sold Price: $293,900 ($290,000 in 2009)

Number of Sales: 11 (13 in 2009)

Average Days On Market: 125 (147 Days in 2009)

Low To High: $247,000 to $356,900

Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 2 For $263K and $275K

Current # Listings: 7, 1 Foreclosure, 1 Short Sale

Current Listings Prices: $204,900 To $325,000, $85/sf to $122/sf

MANCHAC PLACE SUBDIVISION PHOTO GALLERY!

[Show as slideshow]

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. This information was extracted on 1/11/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above Subdivision Price Trends Report!

Tags: Ascension Parish Appraisers, Ascension Parish Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Ascension Parish Real Estate Appraisers, Ascension Parish Home Appraisers, Prairieville La Home Appraisers, Prairieville La Real Estate Appraisers, Manchac Place

FHA Appraisers In Ascension Parish: The Lakes At St Amant Sudivision 2010 Price Trends

Ascension Parish Home Appraisers — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:56:51 +0000

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – FHA Appraisers In Ascension Parish: The Lakes At St Amant Sudivision 2010 Price Trends. Overall lower indicators based on a continued market correction from post Hurricane Katrina 2007 Highs. In 2007, the average sales price was $221,000 and in 2010 it was $206,181! In 2010 as compared to 2009, the Average Sales Price is down 3.4%, Median Sales Price is down 5.6% and Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. is down 5.9%.

Solds In The Lakes At Saint Amant Subdivision from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $206,181 ($213,317 in 2009 or -3.35%)
Avg Sold $ Per Sq. Ft.: $96.36/sf ($102.41/sf in 2009 -5.9%)
Median Sold Price: $203,900 ($215,950 in 2009 -5.6%)
Number of “MLS” Sales: 9 (6 in 2009)
Average Number of Days On Market: 150 (101 in 2009)
Low To High: $191,000 to $229,900
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 1 Short Sale
Current # Listings: 2, 1 Is A Foreclosure
Current Listings Prices: $149,000 to $235,000 or $75/sf to $98/sf.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. This information was extracted on 1/3/2011. Yes, this appraiser has obtained permission from GBRAR MLS to use the above pricing chart!