Hellooooooo

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

OK all of you Florida Appraisers...I have been so busy for a few months that I haven't had much time to spend on the forum. Things have slowed drastically for me (I hope the trend doesn't last but don't mind a slowdown for a few weeks!)

Let's take advantage of this separate forum and get to know each other. I get calls for appraisals that are out of my area and frequently refer business to Mike in Tampa. Let's hear from the rest of you and your coverage area.

I'm in Hernando County, and cover northern Pasco, as well as southern half of Citrus County. How about you all? Pamela and Mike I have met at the FREAB meeting (I hope to go again soon).

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Glad to have you back here Judy! I was slow for the past few weeks but it picked up again this week and now I'm scheduling for the middle of next week.

I know that I've referred work to you and Mike in Tampa and have received referrals from both of you. Much appreciated!

I work the Jacksonville area - North East Florida. Main counties are Duval, Clay and St. Johns which takes in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg. For added fees I will cover Nassau, Putnam, Baker and Columbia Counties. I am quite familiar with all of these counties but I won't go there for normal fees and for some of those outlying areas I do have a couple of other appraisers that I will refer work to. I have the MHV designation, Manufactured Housing Valuation Specialist... whoopee! :roll: but have found that most of the MH lenders and dealers don't want someone that knows what they are doing. 8O :lol: I also have a very nice data base on the horse farms in the area. Plus vacant acreage, especially in Clay County. Also, was just accepted as an "Expert Witness" for court testimony. YIPPEE!!! Looking forward to more of this.

I hope that all of you will share your full names and areas that you do business in. We should be helping each other!

 

[Francois K. Gregoire]

Guess it would be appropriate to chime in here.

My work area is limited to Pinellas County. Leave the Hillsborough and Manateee County stuff for Mike in Tampa. As you know, I'm State-Certified Residential and limit my practice to 1 - 4 family residential, condominiums and vacant sites (actually saw one last week!!) I have been doing FHA Appriasals since 1986, but like many of you all, my Government work has diminished to next to nothing over the past eight months. From 3 - 4 a week to 3 - 4 over the past six months.

I do a lot of estate work and appraisals for guardians. Quite a few appraisals for cash buyers and for brokers unable to figure out a correct listing price. I've done Relocation work for nearly twenty years. Qualified Expert Witness in Circuit Court and United States Bankruptcy Court. Have also done stuff for the IRS and for clients dealing with the IRS.

Slowest Appraiser on the West Coast, but can make a deadline if it absolutely must be done.

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

Hey guys, this is great! I hope to increase my estate work too. I do some of it - but from what I gather, many folks are taking the property appraiser's figure and adding a tiny bit above that. That doesn't apply in this county. Our prices (fortunately) so far are exceeding that to a big degree. I love estate work. I plan to actively pursue that as soon as I catch my breath. After being called a "Rip-off Artist" this week, I guess anything looks good! The estate work in Florida is good business, and you know what - I think the attorneys may sometimes let people take too little for their parents' home. Go figure - after "appriasing one too low" this week (and others!)

 

[Wally Jones]

I may be the "newer" kid on the block here! (I love saying I'm a "young" appraiser and then seeing the looks on people's faces when they see what a geezer I really am! Retired from the Air Force after 22 years and had to get a real job! ) Started appraising in 1999 and became state certified early this year. Was added to the FHA roster two months ago. First two years were with an individual who is developing into a "mill" type company. Due to that and several other reasons, I jumped off his ship and have been very happy working with one other certified who has become a good friend.

We cover Polk County, Hillsborough and East Pasco. Judy, my brother in law is a lender in Hernando and with your permission, I'll pass your name along to him. Not sure how busy he's been lately as he's a bit distracted by his house falling into a sink hole - for the second time!

I'll get off my duff and make it a point to get to the August Board meeting and I look forward to meeting all of you.

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

I appreciate your recommending me to your brother in law. I also get calls for appraisals in Polk County, so I will recommend you, as well. I guess part of that is Mike's territory, too! Is it perhaps Mike that you work with?

I will not be able to attend the August 6 FREAB meeting. I sit on the Coastal Rivers Basin Board for SWFWMD and that is our meeting day. We need to approve the 2003 budget so I hate to miss it. Everyone likes to meet on Tuesday, it seems. I will make a point to be at the next one, however, providing it doesn't conflict again - it has before. Send me an email with your business information so I'll have it on file!

P. S. I will email you with my company details!

 

[Dan/Fla]

I am also out the Jacksonville area like Pam I cover Duval, Nassau, Clay and St. johns county. I might go to Baker county, But since Putman county changed the way they list square footage, I stay away from there. If comps are not in MLS that county is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Pam if you see this you will love to hear this, Mel got an applicant yesterday, from Paul's office, you meet the guy he has long gray hair, he is lookin for a place to go it appears he has 4 years on so far and he was Pauls long distance associate he does assignments all down the east coast even goes to Miami at least 2 times a month(I am sure he does a confinent job) yea right. Have not check yet but he say Brenda is now Certified. So she can now be the local Supervisor. He told Mel that he just wanted an job till about Nov. for a feel how other appraisers work till he can get Cert. and open his own office. NO Mel did not hire him and I warned Mike that this guy is lookin. If these guys with this wonderful way of doing work keep getting Cert. the honest ones are going to be over ridin by these clones.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Thanks for the info Dan. I would NEVER hire anyone from Paul Zappulla's office. Already tried twice and they were only taught to make the number wanted no matter what, never verify anything, do it as fast as you can. One told me she was taught to measure the attached garage by the shortest possible measurement and make it square so the GLA will be higher.

Makes me sick that Brenda is now certified. There has to be some way to clean this nest of viper out... I just don't know how. Can't the state send an investigator in to their office?

 

[Wally Jones]

Okay, Judy.

I have some Good News

and

I have some Bad News


The bad news is my brother in law says he already uses the best appraiser in Hernando County for all their appraisals so my referral for you didn't work out so well.


The good news is that their appraiser is.........YOU!

Steve and Diane, AGM Mortgage, say you're GREAT!

I'll continue to keep my eyes and ears open.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Whew! Finally getting a break to catch my breath and I have time to catch up here. It's been very busy, but seems to be slowing down a little for me, too...thank goodness!

I cover "Redneck North FLorida"...Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist, Taylor, and Lafayette Counties. Spend a lot of time on the Suwannee and Steinhatchee Rivers. In my home county, we get comps the old fashioned way...by going through the OR books...every week, page by page. God bless those counties with online information!!!!

I'm the only certified general in any of those counties, so I pretty much do a little of everything. Lots of residential, and more motels, churches, and bizarre commercial mixed use property than the average. MILLIONS of doublewides. Just millions and millions.

Kathy in FL
Kathy McKinney
Old Town, FL
352-542-0103