A State Certified Residential Resticted Use appraisal can be performed for as little as $200. Would a seller consider this in order to feel more comfortable with their list price? Would a buyer consider this option prior to submitting a contract? Would a Real Estate Agent consider offering this option to a potential client in order to set themselves apart from other agents in order to get the listing or as a buyers agent? Let me know what you think.

Independent appraisal fees for Pinellas County have a median price of $350. New FHA appraisal guidlines state that appraisers shoul be paid "normal and customary fees". Appraisal management companies typical pay appraisers 40-70% of that amount. By doing so, they use inexperienced appraisers or appraisers who were not good enough in most cases to obtain and retain full fees. Tell me what you think.

Is the tax credit helping to increase number of sales? Will sales slow back to nothing if the credit is not extended? What's your view?

Bank sales appear to be at the low end of the market range in Pinellas. Could this be due to artificially low broker price opinions in order to move inventory? It's hard to appraise market transactions when there is a bank listing down the street selling for less. Principle of substitution indicates a typical buyer would not pay more for a property than he could buy a similar property for. Any comments?