TweetYeah, I read about those arson deals. I went to a house last week and the home behind them was burned down....conveniently when no one was home. They are still investigating that one from what I hear.
As for me, the appraisal business has gotten more cut throat lately. 3/4 of the clients I had just one year ago are gone or are using someone that will lie to get them the value they need to make the deal work. Then, when these banks foreclose they are suprised to find out that the home wasn't really worth what they thought. But, some how, these guys are still in business. I know one guy that has been turned into the state for fraudulent stuff twice my a guy I know and he is still out there appraising homes. The last I heard he is slammed. It just pisses me off how the dishonest people are raking in the dough and I'm having to venture out into other valuation services to make up for the loss. I could go out and market myself but I know how it works.....they only send you the stuff their other guy said he can't get the value on. After you expain what a more realistic value is or do the assignment and come in less than what they wanted.....you are off the list.
One good thing about my job is I can take a few classes and branch out into areas with less competition. There are not many appraisers specializing in Relocation appraisals. Well, let me reprahse that, there are not that many on the approved list. So, that's something I could do. But, some people don't have that option, some people are just getting a raw deal right now. The dude across the street is riding his bicycle to and from work so they can spend the gas money to get groceries.
I think the gas prices are causing other prices to get higher which is ultimately making things worse. Oil needs to get back below $100 a barrel and that will take some pressure off of some of these companies. Everything you buy had to be transported, so everything you buy is going to get slightly more expensive. Just think about how many times some items are transported before they reach their final destination. That's a little bitty mark up each time.
As for crime, it's still the same here. We have pretty low crime but I will be interested in seeing the stats at the end of the year.