Appraisal
3 Strategies For Appraiser Success in 2025
Whether you’re a new appraiser learning the ropes of the industry or a seasoned appraiser navigating the waves of a changing landscape, 2025 is a pivotal year to position yourself for success. Here are three ways to succeed this year.
Appraisal
How Much Is the Christmas Vacation House Worth?
‘Tis the season for holiday movies, including one of our favorites — National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (Yours, too?) If you’re like us, you’ve seen this movie 500 times. This year, we challenged ourselves to watch Christmas Vacation through a different lens — that of a real property appraiser’s.
Appraisal
Appraising Haunted Houses
It’s spooky season! What do you do if you’re appraising a home that’s...well, seen some things? You know, murder, ghosts, violent crime, and so on? These are called stigmatized properties, and there are a few ways you can go about appraising them.
Appraisal
What Is a VA Appraisal?
So, you’ve been hired to appraise a property for a veteran using their VA loan, but you aren’t sure how this appraisal differs from a standard one. You’re in the right place! While VA appraisals follow the same process as a standard property appraisal, there are a few details appraisers can look out for, namely MRPs. M-R-What, you may ask? Let’s break it down!
Appraisal
What Is Gross Living Area?
If you’re a new appraiser, it might be news to learn that there is more than one way to measure a home and its livable spaces — not just square footage! Let's walk through gross living area (GLA) and when it's used in a residential property appraisal.
Appraisal
Ebook: How to Gain Experience as a Trainee Appraiser
Gaining real-world experience is crucial for success as an appraiser. But how do you get started? This ebook is your essential guide to earning experience and becoming a licensed, successful appraiser.
Appraisal
5 Reasons to Mentor a Trainee Appraiser
If you’re a certified real property appraiser and you’re considering mentoring a trainee appraiser, you might wonder: Is this a good idea for my business? The short answer – yes! Here are 5 reasons why it’s great to become a mentor.
Appraisal
Understanding Appraiser Independence Requirements
No one wants an appraiser who can be bought off or persuaded in their valuation processes. That’s why in 2023, Fannie Mae Freddie Mac imposed new requirements to help strengthen the existing Appraiser Independence Requirements (AIR). Here’s everything you need to know to stay up-to-date and unbiased!
Appraisal
Top Niches in Real Property Appraisal
We asked an expert appraiser to tell us about the top appraisal niches on the rise today. Here’s what we learned.
Appraisal
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Property Appraisals
Environmental factors can play a sizable role in determining the value of a property. Of course, climate and natural disasters play a part in informing these values, but there are other factors that can impact an appraisal report just as much, for better and for worse!
