Having completed over 3,000 appraisals in the past 11 years, Betsy Pokorny and Des Moines Real Estate Services has become a trusted name for accurate, ethical, and professional valuation services. Betsy has acquired unique knowledge and valuation expertise in historic neighborhoods, vintage homes, and suburban communities.
Betsy Pokorny started Des Moines Real Estate Services in 2000 after serving as a staff appraiser at Iowa Residential Appraisal Co. She lived in Des Moines' North of Grand community for twenty-two years and was involved in their original planning process that led to the area’s designated status. She is now a member of the Westwood neighborhood. Her knowledge of the valuation challenges associated with neighborhood revitalization is unmatched in the appraisal community.
Betsy and Des Moines Real Estate Services maintain membership and/or affiliation with the following professional organizations:
Whatever the reason that calls for a value estimate, you should engage the services of an appraiser who is affiliated with professional organizations. Members of the Appraisal Institute are dedicated to serving the public in the highest professional manner possible and must meet stringent ethics requirements that surpass those required for state certification. Reflecting our unbiased and objective approach to real property appraisal and analysis, we are required to adhere to a strictly enforced Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Membership in the Appraisal Institute grants us access to a nationwide network of knowledgeable peers and noted experts as well as ongoing education covering the latest industry developments.
As a homeowner, you may have reason to question the value of your home on various occasions. These may include planning to buy or sell a home, appealing your property tax assessment, seeking to eliminate payment of private mortgage insurance or undertaking a major home renovation project.
If you’re planning to sell your home, setting an appropriate listing price can help to speed the sale. An appraiser, using market data, arrives at an opinion of market value that can help you decide on a fair listing price. Similarly, when you’re shopping for a new home, a professional appraisal can tell you if you’re paying market value. Refer to our buyer and seller sections of this website for more reasons to use our appraisal services in your buying or selling transaction.
One of the most important issues involved in purchasing a property is developing an opinion of what it is worth. Armed with an appraisal analysis, you can make an informed offer to purchase your prospective home and negotiate effectively. The statistical data contained in an appraisal analysis is particularly helpful in negotiating a price.
Public real estate records used in property listings are not always accurate. Hiring an appraiser is the best way to learn of the true gross living area of the property you are considering for purchase.
Des Moines Real Estate Services has access to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) allowing access to detailed market data that includes marketing comments about a home's updating and features, interior photos, days on market, original list price, price reductions, ratio of sales price to list price and any sales concessions that the seller paid as part of the recorded sales price. We also have "lockbox" access (similar to Realtor access) to homes that are listed for sale through the MLS.
Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraiser can help you make a better educated decision when determining your listing price. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser can provide an independent opinion of home's value because the appraisal fee is based upon effort rather than a percentage of the eventual sales price.
Downsizing and energy efficiency are the new trends in our industry. Here is a link to a new tool introduced from the Appraisal Institute that would be useful for homeowners, Reators or lenders to assemble facts and features about homes with "green" or an abundance of energy efficient features. This "green addendum" is designed to be incorporated into a real estate appraisal report.
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/downloads/AI_82003_ReslGreen...
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/ano/newsletter/DisplayNwsLtrArticle.as...
I'm proud to be a business partner with Hatch Development Company on this infill project in the City of Des Moines. The estimated $6 million infill development project is intended to replace a number of vacant lots and dilapidated dwellings in central Des Moines with a modern, sustainable version of Chicago’s historic greystone homes. Check it out!
http://www.businessrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=37&SubSectionID=100&Art...
Here's a great opportunity to get some good advice regarding your renovation or home improvement project. The cost is extremely reasonable!
http://classes.renovatedsm.com
I will be a presenter at the April 4th meeting. My topic is home valuation and appraisal basics as it relates to homeowners and home buyers.
I believe everyone in the Real Estate industry would all agree the answer to this questions is a resounding yes. Even if a buyer doesn't have school-aged children, a buyer wants to know that their school district is a good one when it comes time to sell their home down the road. Check out this video which markets the DMPS Central Campus Institute.
Doesn't an appraiser usually say, it depends.
Appraisers are taught to analyze how typically motivated buyers and typically motivated sellers are reacting in the market place. There is an argument that foreclosures and short sales do not represent a typically motivated seller. But if these types of sales are occurring very or most frequently in the marketplace and if your home is highly comparable in features, age and condition (usually average to below average) to foreclosures or short sales than these types of sales are likely the most applicable market data.
Proposed legislation would require additional appraisal certification/competency for homes with energy efficient features. Are these really "complex" appraisal assignments? Appraisers are already required by USPAP (Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice) to turn down assignments in which they are not competent. The next thing you know they will be adding "green" education to our CE requirements like the mandatory "report writing" class of which I get to go attend tomorrow. I'd much rather go to a class on energy efficiency and construction than on report writing.
State Certified Appraiser and Consultant
Des Moines Real Estate Services
betsy@dsmappraisal.com
phone: (515) 279-9574
fax: (515) 279-9576
Tanya K. and Doug J., clients
We very much appreciate your help in determining the best value for our dollar in the River Bend neighborhood! It has been very confusing try to determine the value of a property when things are changing so quickly. It was so helpful to get your professional input to cut through the emotional aspects of home buying. It really helped us get realistic about our options. I also appreciate how flexible your services are, since we couldn't afford a full blown appraisal of every property we were interested in, but the "once over" information was critical information in making our decision. We look forward to working with you again!
Jack Hatch, State Senator
"As a state senator, I sponsored, and the legislature passed in 2008, a law requiring appraisers to be registered. As a real estate developer, I know the importance of reliable and accurate appraisals and Betsy is one appraiser I always request the banks to use or I hire her directly during my pre-development phase. There is no one I trust more."
Mary C., client
I couldn't have sold my home by myself without Betsy Pokorny's help. She is extremely knowledgeable about the current and changing Des Moines metro housing market and is great to work with. She guided me through every step in the process, from initial price-setting through sale and closing. She was right on the money with property values. I highly recommend anyone who is selling their home by owner to contact Betsy and use her services. Invaluable!
Deb Buenting, Bankers Trust
"We have used Betsy Pokorny for numerous years as one of our approved appraisers. I personally have found her expertise in the Des Moines market to be invaluable. She understands the many different programs available through the City of Des Moines and Polk County, and is able to anticipate what values will be based on these programs. Her knowledge has been extremely useful during this rapidly changing mortgage industry. She is able to keep us informed of the many changes in the appraisal world, and also keeps us informed on what neighborhood values are doing. We are thankful to have such a detailed and knowledgeable appraiser on our approved list."