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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuSDh39CqRQ

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.

Nutrition Services, Inc out of Waseca, MN is looking to lease/buy a school, church, community center in the Des Moines area for a new catering business. Lord knows that schools need some revenue so please go lease/sell them a vacant Des Moines Public School! Please contact Larry Kroeger with Nutrition Services Inc 507-835-8962.

The number of residential properties nationwide with mortgages that were "underwater" at the end of 2009 rose by 3 million over year-end 2008, according to a First American CoreLogic report released Feb. 23. An additional 620,000 properties fell into negative equity in the fourth quarter alone, bringing to 11.3 million (or 24 percent) the 2009 total. That marks an uptick from the 23 percent represented by the 10.7 million underwater mortgages at the end of the third quarter, according to MSN Money.

Posted: 3/1/2010

Last week I was working with a seller on the south side of Des Moines. As part of my market analysis I measured the home to accurately calculate the square footage. The Polk County assessor's office had this home as 24 feet wide while in reality it was 34 feet wide! In this case, the factual square footage made a huge difference in the listing price of the home.