2008 so Far ?

[ghrousseau]

How has 2008 been so far for those of you in VA/Hampton Roads? I've been working for a lender out here since late 2006. I'm not currently appraising..........I have other mortgage related job skills. The market has been down since early 2007 but seems stable for us. Many product and guideline changes. VA, FHA, and VHDA has been pretty steady.
Just wondering how business has been for those of you appraising full time. I'm hoping to get back in at some point. I've been licensed in another state for 10 years prior to moving here. Currently holding a CA and VA residential license.

Hope this is a better year for all of us.

 

[BRCJR]

I am not in your market area, but I am seeing more FHA requests than had become to be normal for me.

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

It is slow but tolerable. A majority of my opinions are in the $200,000-$400,000 range. Mix of FHA, VA and conventional. I work for three local lenders that I have been with for about 15 years. They are friendly, not pushy and most of all, honest with me. In other words, they listen. Absolutely no AMC's or out-of-state lenders. Misc. work includes RH&A's, the State, various city departments and attorneys. I am a one-man show and do everything from logging-in the order to hitting "send" on the email.

 

[ghrousseau]

"I live with Fear and Danger everyday and sometimes she lets me go fishing."

That is pretty funny.....................only a fellow fisherman can appreciate it. LOL

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

How did you end up in Virginia?

 

[ghrousseau]

Living with fear and danger has family here. My other half has a sister and brother in-law that live down the street. The mom lives with them. Another sister lives in Boston but will be moving down to VB in the fall. The older brother is contracting in Iraq, but will be moving in with his girlfriend in the fall up in Cullpepper. I got sick of CA and was looking for a change. It's been a little tough but I like it out here. My family was orginally from the East Coast up in RI and Boston. The fishing is really great out here so I'm pretty happy on that front.

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

Good deal . . . and yes the fishing here is just as good as anywhere in the country. A lot of variety to be caught here. There are only two other areas, make that three, that I could live. Wilmington, N.C., Charleston, S.C. and my private island in the South Pacific. My office manager is from the Boston area. She talks too fast and I can barely understand her.

 

[JRS at OBX]

Hey, wait a minute. A one man show with an office manager? That's cheating!!

 

[ghrousseau]

"My office manager is from the Boston area. She talks too fast and I can barely understand her."

Does she like Dunkin Donuts coffee and use the word wicked in everyday conversation

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

No coffee but YES she does use the word "wicked" all the time.

JRS, she really is here for the two commercial guys we have in the office. They need all the help they can get! Have you heard of any rock showing south to OI yet? We have plenty of baitfish but the herd seems to have moved outside the EZZ (3 mile line). The boogieman hangs out there and writes tickets all day long.