Blog

26
Feb
339
Views

Summit, NJ Real Estate by the Numbers

Updated: Feb 2018 Real estate report by certified local real estate appraiser How well do you know the current Summit real estate market?  The information below can be helpful for your own knowledge or with making decisions if you are considering moving into or out of Summit.  I have been a resident of Union County […]

26
Jan
2653
Views

How will Trump’s tax bill affect our property values in New Jersey? – Local Appraiser answers

Where do you see the market going with the new tax bill? As a local NJ real estate appraiser, that’s a question I’ve heard many ask me recently.  Well, let’s start off with stating the potential factors of change. The new mortgage interest deduction decreases from $1 million to $750,000 and the new cap on […]

16
Jan
1445
Views

Cranford Home Values – By The Numbers

Updated: Jan 2018 Real estate report by certified licensed real estate appraiser How well do you know the current Cranford real estate market? The information below can be helpful for your own knowledge or with making decisions if you are considering moving into or out of Cranford. I have spent the last 13 years as […]

08
Dec
1523
Views

Scotch Plains Real Estate by the numbers

Updated: Dec 2017 Real estate report by certified local appraiser Are you interested in learning about the current local real estate market or perhaps considering moving to or leaving Scotch Plains?  The information below can be helpful for your own knowledge or with making decisions.  I have lived in the Scotch Plains/Westfield area since 2005 […]

14
Nov
904
Views

Real Estate Values in Westfield, NJ by the numbers – 11/2017

When I moved to Westfield in 2005 I was told NJ Transit would be done digging a new tunnel for a direct train line to NYC in 2017! Well, that didn’t happen but we can still hope for alternative options and perhaps see the home value appreciation similar to Summit and Short Hills when a […]

10
Aug
955
Views

U.S. Land Values by County

Thanks to Max Galka from Metrocosm.com who posted this very cool animated pic of the US counties and the land value of each county as compared to the land value of the whole country.   Notice that the most value appears to be in the Northeast and west coast. This map can be mesmerizing looking […]

16
Dec
1201
Views

Is Zillow Accurate?

Can an automated valuation system like Zillow be considered accurate vs. an actual appraiser performing a full real estate appraisal? The results were surprising.  I honestly thought Zillow would have been less accurate as a real estate valuation model.  Overall, I took a small sampling of 17 appraisals that I recently completed.  All of which […]

06
Oct
977
Views

Appraisal Reviews

American Realty Appraisals has extensive experience in reviewing appraisals. Not only do we review appraisals from other appraisers for large banks and lenders, but all the appraisals from within our company are internally reviewed to assure accuracy and high quality. We have the knowledge and expertise to assess compliant reports under the Uniform Standards of […]

06
Oct
1034
Views

How To Prepare For An Appraisal

The real estate appraisal is a key component to any purchase or refinance transaction. Some people fear of the dreaded low appraisal, since it could essentially cause a deal to fall through, however there are a number of ways you can plan and prepare to make your home’s best impression. Before the appraiser arrives there […]

06
Oct
870
Views

My Approaches to Value

There are 3 approaches to value that are accepted in appraisal theory. The first and most commonly used is the sales comparison approach. After the appraiser inspects the subject property and gathers all of the data necessary, they will go back to the office and search on the MLS for similar properties that have sold […]