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Jul

13
2009

Find a new plan for appraisal reform

By Inman News, Monday, July 13, 2009.

Re: 'Bill would suspend new appraisal rules' (June 29)

Dear Editor:

Some are saying the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) is a good policy and that it is improving our industry. Some go farther and claim that the National Association of Realtors and NAMB are fighting HVCC because they can no longer "influence" unethical appraisers. I, however, am not one of these people.

HVCC is wrong. It ... was not subject to normal transparent conventions associated with regulation or legislation. The code is the result of an investigation that has yet to have its findings released and has all the trappings of a backdoor deal to prevent a massive lawsuit and promote a personal agenda.  more...

Jul

10
2009

FBI investigating Million Dollar Listing's Flagg?

By Curbed.com, Friday, July 10, 2009.

Hey, remember real estate agent Josh Flagg of Bravo's reality series "Million Dollar Listing"? He's the one who isn't the hot bisexual Madison or the bowl-haired Chad. He is the one who was accused of stealing artwork from his rich clients' homes. While the Los Angeles County District Attorney rejected felony grand theft charges against him, he is facing a civil suit. But it seems poor Josh may have bigger problems.

The Real Estalker is reporting that Josh might have the G-men coming after him: "The pending civil trial brought against Beverly Hills real estate agent Josh Flagg for an alleged art heist has been put on hold to make way for an investigation by the City Attorney and the FBI."  more...

Jul

7
2009

Out-of-town appraiser draws ire

By Inman News, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.

Re: 'No praise for new appraisal process' (June 29)

Dear Editor:

For someone to take the word of a desktop appraisal over that of a site-visit appraisal is ludicrous.

I had a similar case with an out-of-town appraiser coming in to do an appraisal and not knowing the inventory. My property, a colonial, has almost 2,000 square feet of living space and a two-car garage. We had received four offers, three of which were over the appraised value. The selling price was $279,900.  more...

Jul

6
2009

Traditional brokerage is 'terminal'

By Inman News, Monday, July 6, 2009.

Re: 'New brokerage model: from bust to boom' (June 30)

Dear Editor:

Today there is only a very limited number of individual Realtors who have moved away from the "traditional" marketing to a more consumer-centric approach.

Buyers have taken control of the home-buying process; do not want to talk to a Realtor (salesperson); and want to be serviced. While we have consistently produced a volume of homebuyer leads for our clients, we have seen the difference between the Realtor who successfully addresses the consumer's needs and those who continue to employ the "traditional" approach.  more...

Jul

1
2009

New rules check unethical appraisers

By Inman News, Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Re: 'Bill would suspend new appraisal rules' (June 29)

Dear Editor:

NAR should consult with their appraiser members rather than support a bill that would place an 18-month hold on the Home Valuation Code of Conduct.

If the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 would have been enforced in the past, there would not be a need for the HVCC, but FIRREA was not enforced. Now the Realtors and mortgage brokers no longer have the control over some unethical appraisers; therefore, they do not like the loss of control, in my opinion.  more...

Firefox 3.5 brings location to browser

By , Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Location awareness is one of the killer features in the new iPhone. Especially in real estate apps, like Zillow's app, which recently broke half a million downloads.

We all know the old axiom with property, right? Location, location, location.

Now that can be translated to your desktop, in addition to your phone. The new version of Firefox (3.5) has added location awareness as one of the new features in this release.  more...

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