2012

The summer is winding up. After some two months of low traffic in and around Boston (sometimes) due to the absence of students on the roadway and others on vacation or in hiding, the traffic returns. [Read more…] about End of summer recap: Sharing some questions and observations about the market

Commercial appraisers have to examine many types of market evidence in the course of investigating a particular market and property. Commercial appraisers observe and analyze sales and rentals, market trends, activity and non-activity, listings, offerings, and rumors, and, hints of rumors. Further, we have to worry about not only what has happened and try to understand it in the context of what we think is going on now and what may happen. Or what may not happen. This is true in active markets with a reasonable volume of transactions. It is also true for markets where there is less velocity. [Read more…] about Commercial real estate property comparables: The wise appraiser will compare apples to apples

At the heart of any appraisal lie the appraiser’s opinions. Appraisers know, deep down, that they are right, since it so hard to be proved wrong. Even if wrong, many appraisers think they are probably less wrong than their peers, appraising being the imperfect profession that it is. [Read more…] about What would make a perfect appraiser, and also who are the perfect clients?

While there has been long needed improvement in the volume of sales in residential markets: buyers and sellers are finally finding a middle ground. This trend is an affirmation of a fundamental principle: all markets finally find a bottom. Hopefully it’s all up from here. [Read more…] about Ice road truckers in July? Is the CRE market onto something big in the future?

Real estate appraisals are crucial in real estate lending transactions. Whether the loan is residential or commercial, the appraisal is a central document with respect to value. For commercial deals, the appraisal addresses factors such as the size of the building, its income (if applicable), the market environment in which it functions, and other concrete and interpretative factors. [Read more…] about Next on the hit list: Could it be the commercial real estate appraisals?

The appraisal process is under serious assault. It will get worse before it gets better. Appraisers are no longer believed. What appraisers do is no longer credible. There is no faith in appraiser’s abilities. [Read more…] about Can appraisers take back some measure of control? And, are we up to the task?