The Appraisal Files

Well it is Derby Day and I am stuck at work, seems like everyone is in a terrble rush to get orders completed. Don't know what is the driveing force, usually people are not in this much rush until near the end of the month.

What ever the problem is I am glad to have the work, orders have slowed to a trickle over the past two weeks. I am off about 50%, I was like someone just turned off a light switch, seems like nothing is happening.

Dann Cann,SRA

I want to thank the Alamode team that worked the Chicago event this weekend. Had a chance to visit with old friends and had the pleasure to meet other staff I had not had the opportunity to meet in the past.

Joel had a fantastic session on mobile data gathering tools and his presentation on a paperless office has made me at least think more about it. Old men do not change easily and the heft of a manila file folder full of paper has a familiar feel that is hard to give up.

Paul's persentation on pivoit charts for  Excell  was to the point and very useful. The time was limited however he was open to questions and did not seem in a hurry.

The rest of the Alamode team were very friendly and helpful, I took advantage of the meeting discount to renew my elite membership. The discount paid a huge part of the expense to attend.

I am at home and have already started some of the things I learned at the event. Looking forward to next time, however I would not be opposed to the event being in the Bahamas next time.

Spring is finally here and its great to be outside visiting homes again. There are signs that new homes are in demand again. I have seen more new homes under construction in the last two weeks than all of last year. Hope springs eternal in our business.

I have finally completed the last hurdle for my SRA designation, I am waiting for the official announcement to get new businees cards and stationary printed.

Be safe, be happy, and be busy.

Big Dann 

Well 2010 is finallly here, I sure hope more homes start to sell, comps are harder to find every day for the re-fi's and foreclosures.

Good news I have been added to the VA fee appraisers panel, and have my Certified General License, I am excited about the posibility of extra work for VA and commercial work.

With the holidays just around the corner, business is increasing. The demand for quicker turn around from my clients is a constant challange. I have added staff and we are now at 48 hours from inspection of the properyt in non rural areas with rural areas 24 hours later. I have had inquires that ask for 24 hours or less turn time, we are just not there yet! Have a safe and happy Thangsgiving.

Well 2009 is finally here, good by and good ridence to 2008. I think this financial black hole we are in will be longer and deeper than anyone imagined.

A very little part of my business is new home sales at this time. If it wasn't for refi and REO business things would be very slow.

The Fed finally cut rates down for quarter for percent that means the next highest percent cut the government will pay you to take their money.

With the credit crisis, what it is the demand for houses is as strong as ever having the ability to obtain credit to purchase the home has almost dried up new home sales. Until the credit crisis has been solved new homes, new cars, new anything sales will be flat.

President-Elect Obama's plan to spend money on infrastructure is a positive move in my opinion. When Pres. Roosevelt built roads and dams in the 1930s he get the economy moving again. Those roads and dams that was built in the 30s need to be repaired or replaced and should provide numerous job opportunities for the economy as a whole. I wish everyone the best of the the new year, health and happiness to all.

It's less that two weeks before Christmas and I have all my shopping completed and the packages wrapped! I shop for Christmas all year long so all I have to do is wrap  what I have bought through out the year. As this year winds down I worry about what 2009 will bring, the huge number of people that are laid off and the ones that know that they will be laid off after the holidays, are not going to be able to buy anything much less a home. I am thankful that 2008 has been my best year yet, I have all the hope that the new president will be able to get the economy moving in the right direction.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday. Good luck in the new year. May God Bless our country, our leaders, our soldiers, and our people. Even in hard economic times I feel blessed to be able to live in America.

Dann