Researching Clients

daArch

Does any of yous google a potential client (BEFORE submitting the estimate) and if so, does it affect your proposal?

No no no, not that you would add a penny to your estimate because you find he/she is a partner at Yu, Fleecem, & Howe Law Partners, INC. But just because you learn something about their personality?

Yes, I do try to research my potential clients. It helps me understand their lifestyle - like if I can start work early or late. plus other considerations, IYKWIM

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KillerToiletSpider

I'll check their Forbes rating occasionally.

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eastend

I've googled prospective clients to learn more about them; and thus better understand the parameters of a working relationship.
Sometimes, there's not much, or what's there doesn't really help - but sometimes it does provide insight and is helpful.

dougchips

www.zillow.com <---you can find out the house value and some other details.

http://www.sexualoffenders.com/show/...-registry.html

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neolitic

Are you looking to find them or avoid them?

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Ed the Roofer

Sometimes I check them the county tax assessor or the township one to get an idea on square footage and if they have equity in their home.

Ed

ruskent

I like to know as much about the customer before i give them a price. I try to get them to tell me what they do without blantly asking them.

curapa

Pretty awesome site.

RizzoMaryland

I check

-zillow.com
-county real property tax records (this provides square footage, # of baths, what they paid for the property and when.......
-and maybe google their name

......after all they research us, right?

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Grumpy

If they pass the sniff test we are all good. When I ignore my sniffer is usually when I get screwed. My sniffer is always right, I just sometimes choose to ignore it.

translation: If you have a gutt feeling just back off.

No I don't research my clients, but I seldom have any reason to. If I really wanted to research my clients I'd probably run a credit check.

Flacan

I'm a Florida State Certified Residential RE Appraiser.

I've appraised over 1,700 properties over the past 6 years, and have some major banks as clients.

Just a heads-up about Zillow: for an appraiser, using Zillow for reliable market data, is similar to asking advice from the guys at HD... take it with a grain of salt... it's useful, but don't rely on it too much... I use it only if my other systems are down - which is never.

I've tested Zillow for reliable values on about 5 properties which I've appraised. I know of many other appraisers who've done the same thing. We have all agreed that, the results are not reliable. That's not to say that once in a while they may be accurate.

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boman47k

Seems to need updated data.

Cole

I agree, I wouldn't waste your time with Zillow.

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RizzoMaryland

I know a landscaper that could not make an appointment for grass cutting. Since he had promised a quote to the HO, he was able to produce an estimate based Google Earth views of the property.

Hard to do on a kitchen remodel though...


Interested to know what kind of programs are used to appraise homes...

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dougchips

Ok then please post a better source. If there is a better source please share---hiding it is not permited!


I like Zillow for the maps so I can get a feel for the neighborhood, in particular I want to know if they are near RR tracks, schools or any other source of noise--they might need windows that reduce sound.

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gt4674b

I agree to some extent. Zillow is good at consolidating real estate information and mapping it out in a useful, visual format. When I use Zillow, I don't even look at the Zestimate, I look at what other homes sold for. If the house is in the same neighborhood and relatively similar in age/SF you can pretty much guess all the houses are within 5% of that price. Basically, just a fancy medium for looking at comps.

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Flacan

I think I wasn't clear. Zillow has some good info on it - aerial view, etc. It's just not a reliable way to estimate value. Especially in a changing market.

In a changing market (especially in a changing market), many other factors have to be considered in order to arrive at a value opinion: ratio of the # of houses listed for sale verses recent closed sales, marketing times, pending sales, are asking prices actually lower than recent closed sale prices?, value trends based on closed sales, etc.
You also need to know a little about the condition of the comps verses the subject, and adjust. The view is something to consider. Municipality is definately something overlooked by Zillow - school districts may greatly influence value.

A great source for info (for the data gathering process of the appraisal) is the local MLS, as it allows a view into the interiors of the comps (if the comp was MLS listed). It shows the date it went under contract, whether the asking price was reduced, whether there were any concessions, etc. Also, it shows the phone # of the listing agent.

The best way to appraise a house, is to actually appraise it. Usually this is best done by a pro. Just like anything else.

You can DIY, but it's worth letting either an experienced local RE agent, or a certified RE appraiser to do it.

Unfortunately, the appraisal business has its share of idiots - just like anything else.

Sorry, it's bed-time for me. Hopefully the above made some sense.

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daArch

I also research the address before going to the estimate to familiarize myself with the house, neighborhood, and landmarks - so I can find it. Zillow gives very poor resolution, IMO. Google maps is better, but the best is
http://maps.live.com/

but you need to use Internut Exploder - this is a Micro$haft site. But the "birds-eye" shots are very detailed
Here's my humble estate:


It's not this good resolution everywhere and it's better in other places.

Kinda creepy that if I were doing "something" outside, this satellite woulda caught me.

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Giovanni

FYI I didn't have any problem pulling up the site on Firefox.

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L. B. Condulet

I check the online sexual predator database before I work for a general contractor. Also I do a criminal background check. I'd say 75% of general contractors have criminal records, usually drunk driving and simple assaults. Two of my customers are on the Megan's Law child molester database and one of my customers robbed a bank 20 years ago.