These days, selling a home is a whole new thing!

For over 25 years the Jackson Group has been marketing homes using the latest marketing skills, tools and resources.  Mostly, we match a buyer with a property and the sale closes!  Now it’s different!  We still do our job, only now we do it four times or more for every property.  First, the buyer, then the home inspector, then the loan officer, then the appraiser and finally, maybe the underwriter again!  Only after all these “sales” might we close and see the happy homeowner move in.

We counsel our clients to prepare their homes for showings and inspections.  This way we increase the likelihood our buyers will hold the “glow” about their new home even when the inspector does his job looking for every possible defect.  And, we provide complete  details on each property to underwriters to make sure there are no last minute surprises about the home or community that will delay closing.

A significant challenge to a smooth sale is the appraisal, either for property issues we did not anticipate or the value assessment being less than the contract amount.  The Jackson Group makes an extra effort for each appraisal in advance of the appraiser’s visit.  We do extensive research on recent sales and the distinguishing features our listings offer or our buyers value.  We prepare comprehensive reports for the appraisers with information about the home, the level of interest from buyers, the neighborhood or community and the market trends.  We present this report in person at the appraiser’s inspection.  Any additional documentation is provided promptly and we  confirm that everything required for an effective evaluation is complete.  The  point is – we treat the appraiser as highly as a buyer and present to close!

We know that buyers and sellers establish the market value when they each agree to a certain price and terms.  We use our Jackson Group Appraisal Report to provide the supporting data that confirms the value for the appraiser.  If an appraisal comes back low, neither the buyer nor the seller is obligated to proceed – but both are disappointed.  When this happens, a new solution is required and new negotiations begin.  We plan to avoid the breakdown, and we work to help the clients find a new arrangement or a new property if we must.

In this “fourth” sale of every transaction we review appraisals on our properties  constantly.   We notice lately that  appraisers indicate a stabilization of values in Portland’s urban area.  This is welcome news for the economy and our real estate investments.