Written by:  Nathan Thomas

The National Association of REALTORS® reported that the median home price nationwide was down 1.7 percent in August from August 2005, the first year over year price drop since a 0.1 percent decline in 1995 and the second steepest since NAR began tracking the figure.   Read more...

Reverse mortgages haven't really caught on. But they're bound to. And since every one requires a full appraisal from a professional with certain skills and credentials, it's a huge potential source of business for the right appraiser.   Read more...

In testimony before a Senate subcommittee September 13, the Chief Economist of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) said the regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is "actively researching the issue of appraisal bias."   Read more...

One of the promises of the Information Age that hasn't quite come true yet is the "paperless office." As a professional in a tightly regulated industry highly dependent on paper, you've probably been looking forward to the day when you could see the top of your desk again.   Read more...

A consequence of the housing boom that has been overlooked - by homeowners and appraisers alike - has been the growing problem of underinsurance.   Read more...

Past due fees that you might have been too busy to pay attention to the last few years are becoming more important to collect. You've been asking for features that can help you collect and avoid late or non-payment in the first place. Now we've added some tools to your Appraisal XSite website that make it easier to get paid. All without changing the way you work.   Read more...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - In the last three years, a la mode, one of the most mission critical and influential companies in the real estate technology industry, has given away two Mercedes SLK convertibles, a Corvette convertible, a Range Rover Sport and a Porsche Boxster.   Read more...

An outfit called the Center for Responsible Appraisals and Valuations released an "Appraisal Compliance Paper" this month with the purpose of informing lenders about their responsibilities for overseeing their appraisal and valuation systems. It's sometimes not as "plain English" as it could be but is a good summary of what responsible lenders are being instructed to do by FIRREA and federal banking authority guidance.   Read more...

Last month we talked about taking care of the clients you already have - client retention. If you rely heavily on mortgage business, though, you may be ready for a new source of non-lender revenue. A new WinTOTAL plugin can help you reap the rewards of the white hot market of the last few years and pick up some work from non-mortgage clients.   Read more...

WinTOTAL users get an e-mail two or three times a month usually from Adam Calvery, our Vice President of Appraisal Products, letting you know what's happening in the next WinTOTAL form filling software update. If you get them you're probably already aware of the Aurora Status Dashboard, accessible at this link: http://www.alamode.com/aurorastatus/   Read more...