Bernice,

In regards to getting an accurate appraisal, you stated, "Be sure to include both sets of data, even if the appraiser elects to use only closed sales."

An appraiser is subject to USPAP guidelines, set forth by the Appraisal Foundation and Congress, and MUST use closed sales.

However, as an FNMA appraiser whose work has dramatically increased this year due to foreclosures, we utilize comparable listings including pending sales. In most cases, the list price is much higher than the eventual sales price.  more...

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Re: 'Stewart Title faces $1.95 million fine in Washington state' (Aug. 28)

Dear Editor:

As an escrow officer in the western states, I have seen many other title companies engage in practices that not only violate state law, but also violate the RESPA laws. In Nevada, the problem is so rampant that brokerages routinely require that title companies pay a "marketing fee" to be able to come in to a real estate office and talk to or market services to the agents employed there.  more...

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Re: 'Stewart Title faces $1.95 million fine in Washington state' (Aug. 28)

Dear Editor:

Well, as a matter of course, title companies (or whoever) should be able to give to a charity (auction or not) no matter who is sponsoring the event without being chastised because it is a real estate function.  more...

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Re: 'Don't quitclaim deed to ex-wife too soon' (Aug. 21)

Dear Editor:

There is one more enormous reason NOT to deed a house to a spouse before the sale: If the "out spouse" does this, he or she loses the extra $250,000 capital gains tax exclusion. If both names are on the deed at the time of sale BOTH parties get the $250,000.

In my opinion, any attorney who lets his or her client do this would be liable for malpractice.  more...

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Re: 'Debate rises over MLS role in offer of compensation' (Aug. 23)

Dear Editor:

Regarding buyer agent compensation: if the system is changed from the current position of the seller paying the entire commission, I was wondering what the proposal was for financing the buyer agent's commission?  more...

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Re: 'Debate rises over MLS role in offer of compensation' (Aug. 23)

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your articles on the future of the MLS.

We have three MLSs that overlap the Front Range in Colorado -- needless to say, very frustrating. The issue we have is that the MLS will not allow our company to send a bulk upload of all our listings daily. The MLSs want the listings sent one by one.  more...

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Re: 'End of a real estate era' (Aug. 21)

Dear Editor:  more...

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Re: 'Consolidation, collaboration breaking down MLS walls' (Aug. 21)

Dear Editor:

One point that seems quite relevant to me is that more and more brokers are dangerously offering and more and more sellers are insisting that their properties be put on craigslist, which as of now is free (in most cases).  more...

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Re: 'NAR asks Fed to help curb abusive lending practices' (Aug. 16)

Dear Editor:

I find it very ironic that NAR is pushing for tighter guidelines and control by the federal government on lenders while their individual Realtor members are just as guilty of pushing buyers through several lenders until someone says "yes!" as are individual loan officers.  more...

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