[TowerTalk] Antennas and Property Value responsa

[Michael Ryan]

Hi Mike,

**Appraising a property that he was also involved with on the selling or
buying side would certainly be on a slippery slope if for some reason
something bad happened.  **

 This is true...  Like I said it would be better to avoid this, but at the
very least an appraiser /  realtor should DISCLOSE that they have a vested
interest.   Once this is done, I doubt whether many participants would be
comfortable with it, but it has and can happen.

 Your antennas are PERSONAL PROPERTY, even though they are attached to some
extent.  The difference between personal property or a fixture/chattel is
defined as it's INTENDED USE and METHOD OF ATTACHMENT. Swimming pools or hot
water heater are attached permanently and would not be personal property. A
hot tub could be considered personal property because it could be detached
and taken away ( depending on the METHOD OF ATTACHEMENT ), and is usually
considered personal property.  In only rare instances have I given any value
to a hot tob.  But the long and the short of is that antennas and towers
should have no effect on value. Most anyone involved in a real estate sale
transaction or sale if you will, would simply ASK, are these STAYING or
GOING. In an appraisal situation, the fact that the antennas are present the
day of the appraisal inspection, which is the normally the date of the value
OPINION, typically would not effect the value and therefore no value is
attributed or deducted due to their presence. If someone has cut a hole in
the roof and is running some Rohn 25 through there well, that's another
story. (.. by the way I am a State Certified Residential Appraiser and a
realtor/sales associated ...short for REAL ESTATE AGENT, a term not used too
much in Florida anymore).  
Sorry to be off topic of the reflector.  High power tension lines anyone ?
-Mike



-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of W0MU Mike Fatchett
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 4:28 PM
To: 'Michael Ryan'; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antennas and Property Value responsa

Appraising a property that he was also involved with on the selling or
buying side would certainly be on a slippery slope if for some reason
something bad happened.  I am a Real Estate Broker and a REALTOR.

Many states have removed the ability to be a dual agent as there is really
no way to be both the sellers and buyers because of the duties you have to
perform for each do conflict.  Some states still allow it.  Many states have
moved to a transaction agent where his or her duties are much more limited
and detailed by the agreement.  Basically they are there to facilitate the
sale.

All of that has nothing to do with towers. 

I have had my house appraised a number of times and the antennas are not
even mentioned.  They should have no impact on the homes value nor should
they.  A hilltop full of towers that impeded the view of another property
could certainly lower the value a buyer might be willing to pay if those
towers were not there.  That is an opinion and probably never factors into
what the land would ultimately appraise for.  The same could be said for
high tension power lines.

Mike W0MU