appraisal writing

1. Appraisal Writing

3. Appraisers and Writing English as a foreign language? The Perniciousness of Forms The tendency to verbosity in narratives The continuing evolution of language � A good thing? Computer-induced short cuts Specific needs for business

4. Communicating Business Writing Appraisal Report Writing A Specific Form of Communication: Functional, Efficient, Concise, Organized Striking a balance between facts and analysis. Explaining and Anticipating

5. Appraisals Solve Problems

6. Problem Solving Techniques � A Brief Overview What is the issue? What does the client want? What does the client need? Are you competent to carry out this assignment? Should you get help? Is it an appraisal, highest and best use study, feasibility analysis, marketability study or consulting assignment?

7. Problem Solving, cont. Will additional expertise be needed? Is the client willing to obtain the necessary expertise? Once the appraisal problem and data needs are defined, identify stated assumptions or hypothetical conditions. Develop a written plan to complete the project.

8. Problem Solving � Conclusion Collect necessary information on the subject and market. Obtain comparable data. Develop highest and best use conclusion. Is there enough data of the right sort. If not, go back to 7. .Analyze data. Array data into logical groupings. Write a report that conveys what you mean to convey to the reader.

9. Putting Thoughts into Writing Focus. Anticipate. Explain without being overbearing. Use of charts, bullets, subheadings. Keep the reader�s attention. Use Active Voice to the extent possible. Restructure sentences to make them more active. Eliminate �dead� and �treading water� words: �As noted previously� �It is important to note that�� Be careful with �thesaurus� words

10. Effective Writing Eliminating Wordiness A report that contain many redundancies, trite expressions, hedge words, pointless phrases, and false elegance is wordy. When a writer fails to consider word meaning, the report may be needlessly repetitive. Common redundancies are shown in the column on the left and simple substitutes are shown on the right.

11. Consider this� Redundant Simple basic fundamentals basics (or fundamentals) fundamental principles principles (or fundamentals) consensus of opinion or general consensus consensus free gift gift exactly identical Identical full and complete full (or complete) past history history personal opinion opinion true facts facts whether or not whether in order to do this to do this important essentials essentials round in shape round seven in number seven

12. False Elegance Some writers try to give their writing elegance by using fancy language and long-winded phrases. Unless your meaning requires the use of the words and phrases shown in the first column, try to substitute the words and phrases in the second column.

13. Cures for Triteness Instead of Use accounted for by the fact that due to, caused by a majority of most assuming that if based on the fact that, due to the fact that because, due to demonstrate show, prove for the purpose of for, to in close proximity near in lieu of instead of, in place of in the course of during inquire ask investigative efforts investigation in view of the above therefore modification change notwithstanding the fact that although on the grounds that because to summarize the above in summary

14. Using Words Effectively Many trite expressions crop up in daily use; they are familiar, but they are overused and often outdated. Some trite expressions appear in the left-hand column. Clearer alternative are found on the right.

15. Listing Trite Clear at your earliest convenience soon under separate cover in another mailing enclosed herewith please find enclosed is attached hereto attached at this point in time now at that point in time then (or use specific date) pursuant to your request as you requested I'd like to thank you thank you relative to, in connection with, as regard, regarding about the writer, the author, the undersigned me (or 1) a check in the amount of a check for

16. Precision of Language In technical writing terminology is important. Appraisal report writers must be careful not to use synonyms that carry slightly different meanings. For example, present worth has a technical meaning and cannot be substituted for present value. Similarly, the neighborhood refers to a specific area designated by the appraiser. Neighborhood and area cannot be used interchangeably. However, do not burden readers with jargon. For example, saying �the floor plan meets market standards� is better than saying, �No functional deficiencies were noted in the layout of the improvements.�

17. Common Misuses Mispellings of Technical Terms. Commonly misspelled words: a. Masonry (correct) vs Masonary (incorrect) Cemetery (correct) vs. Cemetary (incorrect) Incorrect Usage Sewerage: a system to dispose of sewage.

18. Hedges are for Gardeners Hedge words such as seems, appears, might, possibly, suggest, and hint indicate to readers that the writer is not willing to stand behind the evidence. Occasionally a hedge word may be used to indicate the writer's level of confidence in regard to certain data or conclusions. A writer who uses many hedge words conveys insecurity and the reader may lose faith in the report.

19. Hedges, cont Avoid phrases such as "the information seems to suggest..." Modifiers such as more, most, very, extremely, and quite must also be used with great care. For example, "The market is quite strong" means no more than "The market is strong ' " The use of "quite" conveys indecision.

20. Weak and Pointless! Pointless words and phrases such as "it is interesting that. . . " and "it may be said that. . . " are fillers. They give the impression that the writer is filling space while his mind warms up. Sentences that begin with "there are" or "it is" are also weak. "There are twenty stores in the are' is a lifeless sentence, but "Twenty stores are located in the area' is more interesting-

21. Cures Give thought to combining a few thoughts: it makes the reading more interesting and the writing more efficient. Better yet, organize your writing to achieve a strong presentation. Organize using charts, graphs, bullets, subheads.

22. Omissions To mistakenly achieve brevity, some writers omit a, an, and the. Even if the meaning is clear, this type of omission gives an impression of haste and carelessness. Generally, telegraphic style should be avoided. In contexts where it is useful, in a building description for example, the format should leave no doubt in the reader's mind that the change in style is intentional.

23. Exercise Judgment and Ingenuity Don�t get Stuck in the Same Old!

24. Example of Effective Presentations - Normal FNMA 1004: �Note: Race and the racial composition of the neighborhood are not appraisal factors.� DO ask questions that increase your understanding of buyer and seller actions in the neighborhood market DON�T look for non real estate reasons for your opinions DO look for answers in quantifiable market activity DON�T look for answers that you can�t support DO take into consideration all pertinent factors DON�T make up reasons that don�t show up in the market

25. More Effective

26. Effective Writing

27. �Create a good impression from front to back, beginning to end �Make sure you and your client know the problem you�re solving. �Make your boilerplate to the point �DONT WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS!!!!!!! STOP SHOUTING! � Punctuate and pls dont abbreviate too much in sentences, e.g. avg, $1000, Splt Lvl SF WF Resids in BR comms off x-way

28. Report Tips �DONT NOT USE PUNCTUATION PLEASE AND USE REAL GOOD GRAMMAR TOO �SPRELL CHCK PLEASE (Maybe even grammar check) �Dress up the generic �Discuss your analysis �Anticipate questions; Avoid Addenda �Draw conclusions pertinent to the problem and explain them (in writing)

29. Report Tips If you�re going to use a transmittal letter, put it on your stationery Take good pictures. If you have an important feature or deficiency, consider including a picture. Keep your extras on disk in the file. Don�t shoot houses straight on if you can help it. Use pictures to tell a story (example follows)

30. Photographs

31. The Modern Appraisal Office

32. The Appraisal Office Some things we couldn�t live without: Map Software Sketch Software Digital Photography Laptop Strunk & White Appraisal Dictionary Legal Terms Dictionary Construction Dictionary USPAP

33. Indispensable?

34. Useful?

35. Useful Storage Media

36. Appraisal Office Online Resources Flood Maps Sales Data Other Palm/Visor GPS Others What do you have that is indispensable for more efficient appraisal work?

37. Introduction to Word Powerful Word Processors Most users never even scratch the surface. Learning some of the basic and advanced features saves times and improves communication

38. Features Learn Basics Saving Formatting Program Help

39. Advanced Format �Paint� Creating �Styles� Templates Tables Importing from other Programs Other