Expert Appraiser: Trusts, Divorce, Property Tax

The real estate industry is in difficult times, due to the lack of controls and irresponsible bottom line mentality of the lending industry. Quite removed from that, is the market for architectural and/or historic homes. As the typical buyer or builder of one of these, is often able to tap into much greater financial resources, they are not as affected by the ebbs and flows of the entry-level homeowner. As time goes on, I will share some of the ideas and concepts that I have found useful for valuing and/or appraising custom homes throughout the country, as well as the wide world.

The first idea I find useful, is to detemine just what defines an architectural home. Is it a Spanish or Mediterranean home built by Kaufman & Broad? A custom home, among 30 others, by Lennar Builders? Is it the sweet little 1927 bungalow in Century City area? For my clients, and their future banker or lender, I want to have a clear understanding, that addresses the issue in a way that benefits both sides.

"Well, it is truly one of a kind! There are no comparables." How many times have we heard that? To which I answer, "Well then, I guess we cannot do an appraisal, based on a comparative sales analysis, can we?"  "Oh, but we need an appraisal to retire the construction loan, at 12%."  Okay, now I think we can move forward here.

Just like the three blind men and the elephant, we all have our own interpretation of the data and the definition of an architectural home. What do you think would be a good measure of this?  Drop me a line, and I will share your ideas with everyone else, in a future blog.

Also, feel free to look over my website, adn tell me what you think I need?  It is a huge undertaking for me, and it will take another month or more to get it all up and running.  In the meantime, I have six requests for custom built architecturals in the Malibu and Los Angeles area, including two by one of my good friends, Mr Steven Kent, who worked with Frank Gehry, on the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain, for several years.

Here is one of Steven's creations:

Other recent architecturals I have assisted:

Lorcan O'Herlihy's JAI House in Calabasas

Richard Neutra Apartments in Westwood

More later, Keep me posted, as well!

James Ebert

Ebert Architectural Appraisals 

james@eas2.com

818.991.9322 / 310.505.5916