By Thomas Harding
So things are on the up.
According to local realtors we are seeing an extremely active market in the sub $300,000 range, with multiple offers commonplace. We are even witnessing  the return of escalation clauses from buyers, something we haven’t seen since the heady days of 2005 and 2006.
We are also seeing the return of investors, another indicator that we have moved beyond the bottom of the market and that people are wanting to invest their extra cash in real estate before prices go on the rise.
The other good …

By Thomas Harding
If I tell you the good news, will you forgive me? Or should I start with bad news, so that you will trust me more when I say that things are getting better?
Okay, here’s the bad news: Appraisers are struggling to find the value that has been agreed by buyers and sellers. This is causing real heartache in the market, and many a decent contract has been tripped up in recent months because the contract value is higher than the appraised value. As soon as sales pick up, …

By Thomas Harding    
Each New Year the Jefferson County Assessor sends notices to local property owners informing them of any increase in their real estate assessments. This year’s letters have been mailed, and they bring with them good news for most homeowners. Of the 30,000 parcels in the county, only 800 will see an assessment increase this year. The vast majority, perhaps as much as 80 percent, will see a dramatic decrease.
 Angie Banks, in her second year as assessor, says it has been a tough few months. “It has been a …