Insights

It is always interesting to see the creative and powerful ways that people find to combine their passion with helping others.  War Horses for Veterans, our March USA Cares recipient, does that by bringing horses and combat veterans together. 

With Veteran’s day in November, we felt it appropriate to choose a Veteran-focused organization for November’s USA Cares. Veterans Community Project is a shining example of what can be achieved when people with a focus join with their community. VCP was founded in 2015 by a group of Combat Veterans. Their mission is clear “…supporting every man and woman who took the oath for our country. We are determined to make a difference in the lives of homeless Veterans, a task accomplished by the community for the community.”

Earlier this year we decided to start sharing the organizations that we choose for our USA Cares program each month. Our hope in doing this was to shine a small spotlight on some wonderful charities and non-profits that matter to us, and hopefully help others find a group that they might be willing to give their time or resources to.

In October, we chose to donate to Newhouse Domestic Violence Shelter through our USA Cares program. It would be an understatement to say that Newhouse is an invaluable member of the Kansas City community. For nearly 50 years, they have been a literal lifeline for any and all individuals fleeing domestic violence.

United States Appraisals today announced the launch of its Appraisal Modernization Program (A.M.P.), providing lenders access to the changing landscape of valuation products, including bifurcated appraisals.

With more and more homeowners wanting to "go green" and California's solar panel requirement for new homes set to take effect in 2020, many in the mortgage industry have been working to figure out how solar panels impact home values. As with most elements to consider in real estate valuation, it is not a cut and dry dollar for dollar value. Some of the key items an appraiser must consider are if the panels are leased, owned, or financed, what is the typical buyer motivation, cost vs. savings, and of course the expected life of the technology.

It can be difficult in some areas to find and connect with organizations and volunteer opportunities. Luckily for those of us in the Kansas City area, we have Uncover KC whose mission is to create positive social impact through community engagement.

We all know how much lenders and borrowers care about getting a fast turn time on their appraisals. This could mean making the appraiser's task simpler and easier, but it could also mean streamlining the appraisal review step as well. At United States Appraisal we use technology, to improve this important part of the process.

As a company whose day to day operations are part of people purchasing & refinancing homes, it would be easy to forget that homelessness is a real problem for many. Our USA Cares recipient for July was Community Linc, an organization whose day-to-day focus is that very thing. Community Linc is a non-profit focused on building better futures for homeless families. They were nominated by our Chief Financial Officer, Chris Purcell.