Table Talk With Apella

Apella Coverage Areas Fall Into Forbes Best Places List

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:15:30 GMT

Late last week, Forbes .com item titled America’s Best Places To Raise A Family by Zack O’Malley Greenburg listed the top 20 counties in the nation based on great location criteria. Of the twenty counties listed, Apella holds markets and appraiser vendor coverage in eight counties with three in the top ten and two in the top five.

#20 – Norfolk County Massachusetts

#19 – Sarasota County Florida

#17 – Howard County Maryland

#15 – Marin County California

#14 – Collin County Texas

#06 – Morris County New Jersey

#05 – Delaware County Ohio

#03 – Johnson County Kansas

To the towns, people, vendors and all that make up the communities that are a part of these good enough to get listed by Forbes, no small undertaking to say the least, A Great Hats Off To You! Keep Up The Great Work!

Until the next post, thanks for reading and please join in letting those know that they Rock!

McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about How to Fix the Mortgage Markets

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:16:12 GMT

Fannie/Freddie = Half Of Mortgages Owned... Yep We're Good!

How to Fix the Mortgage Markets

Insight on fixing the mortgage mess, with Howard Shapiro, Fox-Pitt Kelton and Richard Schulman mortgage broker

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Suze Orman on real estate, retirement

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:28:21 GMT

What Are You Being Sold?

Suze Orman on real estate, retirement

July 8: CNBC’s personal finance guru, Suze Orman offers sunshine given the current economy: She cautions Northeasterners to wait a little longer before investing in real estate, warns us about bankruptcy law changes, and tells folks not to dip into their retirement funds.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Housing Meltdown: The Latest

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:22:47 GMT

The Slopes In Money Lending.

Housing Meltdown: The Latest

The latest on the housing crisis, with John Sauro, president of the North Atlantic Mortgage Corporation, and Celia Chen, of Moody's Economy.com

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Pending Home Sales

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:16:03 GMT

Pending... A Very Interesting Word In Deed!

Pending Home Sales

A look at the housing data and Fed Chairman Bernanke's speech on financial regulation, with Joseph Brusuelas, Merk Investments; Michael Darda, MKM Partners; CNBC's Diana Olick & Larry Kudlow

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about NFIB June Survey

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:10:51 GMT

Are You A Small Business? If So What Do You Think?

NFIB June Survey

Insight on inflation concerns and conditions in the coming months, with William Dunkelberg, National Federation of Independent Business chief economist

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Like For Real? Appraisers Can Be Your Friend!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:09:22 GMT

Every once in a while, something is stumbled onto that goes to the beyond in demonstrating that Apella has a long way to go in reaching our goals… the good thing is that there is always purpose. Sometimes the discovery not only allows the realization that there is much work yet to be done, but it also allows for a question to be asked. For the most part questions are good.

Last week an item on the Appraisal Scoop titled An Appraiser Bites Back! by Brian Davis, referred back to a post found on Real Estate Radio USA which really is a must see or I should say listen. The piece did a wonderful job of pointing out views held by many real estate agents when it comes to appraisers… all the while it was not even the shows main intent. Still the piece goes on to show that the work of many is still in progress… and still needed.

Meanwhile, The San Diego Home Blog item titled Beware the appraisal by Kris Berg, touches on one more real estate sales person affected by an appraiser and their appraisal.

Both of these bring to light that appraisers need to work at assisting real estate agents to our world and real estate sales people need to extend into the world of the appraisal. Of course there are those that feel that they do not need to understand the sister industry, perhaps just the same as they would not need to understand the short sale, perhaps they specialize to the extent that they would have no need to exert themselves. Likewise, there are those that are in the appraisal industry that do not understand the importance of working at education and the good public relations that it can bring. However for those that do wish to expand their horizons, there are those willing to help and be a friend. Appraisers that extend to the real estate sales profession a line of communication, one that promotes the reasons why appraisers are required to do what they do and what real estate sales professionals can do to work with appraisals and/or appraisers in their deals will promote the appraisal industry to the fullest.

One place for real estate sales professionals to note is the up and coming show hosted by Rain City Guide’s Dustin Luther on the 4Realz Round Table where he will be interviewing Jonathan Miller from the appraisal blog Matrix and Soapbox. From there the next step is to establish relationships between local appraisers and sales professionals mutually.

Early on the management of this company was fortunate to have the training from real estate brokers that used appraisal services in obtaining their listings. The brokers who helped train were also performing broker price opinion services for lenders and had also taken appraisal related classes. These brokers held a different and open view on how to use the two real estate industries together. I as the writer of this post and management that was trained can not express enough gratitude to these brokers no matter how may times I must argue their philosophy these days. It was their training that has set into play many of this company’s views and actions, including extending what ever can be done to help educate the real estate industries; members and consumers.

Apella however only joins these brokers and those that are working to promote the teaming of the appraisal and real estate sales industries, as there really are many. As an example it was an early set goal of Apella’s in establishing a strong working relationship with a real estate educational provider. In October of 2007 Apella had the good fortune of putting into place an agreement with McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School. The sole goal of this agreement is to promote education through the use of discounts and the incentives of bettering the members and real estate industries.

There is no doubt that it is hard for many in the real estate sales industry to understand the appraiser. Appraisers can be different in communications and at the same time, many of those in real estate sales see the appraiser as a threat to the sales commission. This thinking can change with education and deals can be put through more smoothly with the proper use of appraisals, more so the better understanding of the appraisal and appraisal process.

Back to the question… being what can Apella do to promote the relationships between appraisers and real estate sales professionals while still keeping the purpose of the appraiser in the real estate transaction? First set into place policy and second set into place practice.

Apella holds the policy that brokers who provide services such as broker price opinions for Apella clients have had USPAP courses as of January 1^st, 2005. This is simply based on the business decision to keep the ethics standard as already required with in the appraisal industry. It can not go with out saying, that this is in all honesty, not one of our more high volume services as requested by the client nor is it heavily marketed as most of Apella’s vendors are appraisers only. Yet there is logic behind the policy.

Second, the practice of communication is promoted by the means of the company blog, Table Talk With Apella, the main web site and the prompt response to inquiries as made to Apella by real estate sales professionals (i.e. e-mail and phone calls).

Last but not least, Apella markets to real estate sales professionals and one main reason for this is in order to promote the use of appraiser services by real estate sales brokers and agents. This service is offered as a tool to real estate sales professionals in better serving their clients.

At best it is a start and efforts will continue. To the readers, please be sure to check out the shows and post listed here.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and please enjoy your growth to the most!

McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Real Estate's Silver Lining

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:55:28 GMT

Wooo Hooo... Mini Mall Here I Come!.... Ok Maybe Not.

Real Estate's Silver Lining

Billionaire real estate investor Larry Silverstein shares his second-half outlook on commercial real estate with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about SEC, Fed and Banks

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:48:09 GMT

Books... How Do You Like Yours Done?

SEC, Fed and Banks

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox discusses the SEC's plan to coordinate more closely with the Federal Reserve.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Apprasisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Fannie, Freddie Under Pressure

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:38:43 GMT

And Change Is Good ?????

Fannie, Freddie Under Pressure

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are under pressure, and CNBC's Diana Olick has the details.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Trade Houses Like Stock

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:23:28 GMT

Hay Does The Rating Companies Know About This?

Trade Houses Like Stock

In some parts of the country, the housing market is every bit as risky as the stock market. I guess that makes it appropriate that you can trade houses just like you do stocks.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Happy 4th of July

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:58:28 GMT

For all, service persons of the U.S. Armed Forces, friends and family, peers of the real estate industries. May you have a Safe & Happy Forth of July!

Some Quotes for Your Holiday Weekend.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles – Ancient Greek Politician, General and Statesman.

“Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security” Benjamin Franklin – American Statesman

Our situation] illustrates the American idea that governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established.” Jefferson Davis – Confederate President

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” Thomas Jefferson - American President

“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan – American President

“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” Rosa Parks – American Civil Rights Activist

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King Jr. – American Civil Rights Activist

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy – American President

“Let us have peace.” Ulysses S. Grant – American President

“Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.” George Washington – American President

Thanks to the many that have made this country possible.

Talking about Lehman Latest

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:42:08 GMT

Hay What Can You Say... It Takes People!

Lehman Latest

Lehman Brothers is taking measures to keep its top talent, and the bank's stock is responding for the second day. CNBC's Charlie Gasparino has the details.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Apprasial School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Realty Check: Manhattan Housing

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:47:12 GMT

Big Apple Gets A Little Soft!

            Realty Check: Manhattan Housing


          Even the Big Apple is showing signs of softening, with CNBC's Diana Olick

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Mortgage Loans

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:42:12 GMT

Looks All Squeaky Clean... Countywide Exits D.C. Kitchen!

Mortgage Loans

A look at Senator Barack Obama's lowered mortgage rate, with CNBC's Hampton Pearson

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Mortgage Spin-Off

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:32:24 GMT

Word From One Of The "Other Guys".

Mortgage Spin-Off

A look at the recent rise of mortgage applications, with Jeff Carbiener, Lender Processing Services president/CEO

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about California vs. Countrywide

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:45:13 GMT

Oh No! A Rain Cloud On BoA's Parade!

California vs. Countrywide

California Attorney General Jerry Brown tells CNBC's Larry Kudlow why he's going after Countrywide.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Countrywide & BofA: Worst Deal Ever?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:36:44 GMT

Ever Ever?... Well May Be Not Ever... But They Make For Such A Fine Couple!

Countrywide & BofA: Worst Deal Ever?

Discussing whether the Countrywide-Bank of America deal might be the worst deal ever, with Andrew Ross Sorkin, of the NY Times; Rob Cox, of Breakingviews.com; and CNBC's Dennis Kneale

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Countrywide's 'shady' corporate culture

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:49:56 GMT

No Way! Really?

Countrywide's 'shady' corporate culture

June 30: A regional manager from inside the nation's largest mortgage lender speaks out about possible wrongdoings by the company which cost families their homes. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Talking about Housing Bust, Booming Biz

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:42:24 GMT

"Someone's Got To do It"

Housing Bust, Booming Biz

The slide in home prices may be good news to one sector of small business in this volatile market. With so many homes in foreclosure, these companies now have to manage record growth.

Apella Saves Money
McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School 10% Discount Via Apella

Photo Album: Cover By County

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:48:09 GMT

Cover By County

AR CCM.01

AZ CCM.01

CA CCM.01

CT CCM.01

GA CCM.01

IL CCM.01

IN CCM.01

KS CCM.01

MD CCM.01

MO CCM.01

More Photos...

Photo Album: Blog Images

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:23:15 GMT

Blog Images

More Photos...

Photo Album: Blog Images

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:39:03 GMT

Blog Images

More Photos...

Custom List: Apella Markets & More

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:35:19 GMT

Apella Markets & More

Custom List: The Sequel

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:00:30 GMT

The Sequel

Custom List: News Sites

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:19:04 GMT

News Sites

Custom List: Water Cooler

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:47:15 GMT

Water Cooler

Unemployed Art
The Official Art Blog of Don Edwards
The Daily Geek
Style For Geeks & Geek For Those with Style
sfgirlbybay
Beautiful Blog On Items That Make Your Home Beautiful On The In Side.
Chronicles of the Purple Tidbit
Crunchy, bloggy-type thing with 34% less cholesterol!! Adult Rants n Raves From The Worlds Newest Writer In All Things Grown Up.
Average Betty
Fun & Crazy "Rockin" Videos & Topics With Food.
Hippie Sounds.com
It's All In The Name! A Music Lovers Blog with a flair of color and a ton of Love!

Custom List: 100 Blogs

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:13:58 GMT

100 Blogs

Custom List: Apella REBS

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:13:00 GMT

Apella REBS

Resources
Apella's Resource Page with links to industry, government and education. Access McKissock Real Estate & Appraisal School for Apella 10% discount on courses taken.
Apella Web Site
Resource Center for The Homeowner & Real Estate Professional.