Appraisers See Some Improvement in Sales, Prices, and Their Own Business

A new survey conducted by United States Appraisals found a majority of appraisers are at least somewhat bullish on the current housing market.  Over 54 percent of the nationwide panel of residential appraisers questioned said they had a mildly or moderately strong level of confidence in the current housing market while 24.9 percent were neutral.

Options were slightly higher regarding home values with 46.2 percent of respondents reporting a mild increase in values in their area, 15.6 percent a moderate increase and 24 percent were neutral.  Most said their business was improving; 26.1 saying order volume had increased mildly, 17.8 percent saw moderate increases, and 18.5 percent said the volume increase was substantial.  Only 15.3 percent reported any reduction in order volume.

"Appraisers tend to be realistic, focused on their local markets and unmoved by news stories and national numbers," said Aaron Fowler, President of United States Appraisals.  "We believe they provide a good gauge of the status of the housing market. After the last few years, a mildly strong level of confidence shows some definite improvement in appraiser attitudes."

The survey results were reported along with quotes from the respondents which varied widely.  Some reported a 'fragile" recovery, others said indications were positive, others that foreclosures ere holding the market back or said improvement depended on the cost level of homes, or expressing fear that current good news might be another false alarm.

United States Appraisals plans to conduct its new survey on a quarterly basis.