Blog - FRG Consultants

COVID-19

Feasibility Research Group (FRG) is a privately-owned real estate services company specializing in commercial real estate appraisal, inspection, and research. Like many small businesses, FRG has been impacted by COVID-19.

However, the services that we provide are deemed essential by most states and thus we remain willing and able to assist you with your appraisal services and market research needs.

FRG practices social distancing. Currently, all employees are working from remote locations. Further, if an FRG appraiser is conducting an on-site inspection he/she will practice social distancing during the subject property inspection.

The FRG appraiser conducting the inspection will:

Maintain six feet distance from all property contacts
Request that only one person accompany the appraiser on the inspection
Not touch any fixtures, door handles, light switches, etc in the facility
Require unobstructed access and views of the interior of the building
Wear protective covering including but not limited to gloves and face masks

Further, as much as possible FRG appraisers will seek to conduct virtual interior inspections leveraging technology such as Skype and/or FaceTime*.

FRG will continue to monitor the coronavirus and its impact very carefully and provide updates as needed.

*NOTE: USPAP does not require a physical inspection. Appraisal Foundation Statement

The Appraisal Foundation, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Appraisal Institute have deemed virtual inspections to be acceptable.

The Struggle to Find Home Sweet Home

As our MAI appraisers complete multifamily housing commercial appraisals and rent comparability studies (RCS) for HUD and private clients, FRG has extensive multifamily housing knowledge. And as a result FRG has a great deal of interest in remedies to the affordable housing shortage.

I can still remember signing my first apartment lease. I was 19 years old and excited to move into my very own 500 sq-ft, one bedroom, one-bathroom home. Well it wasn’t all mine, because I could not afford the apartment, thus I had a roommate. Even with a roommate, this was the first time I felt like a responsible adult.

Unfortunately, many today are struggling to find a place to call home. Nationally, the number of renters has reached historic highs, and as a result it is becoming increasing difficult for many to find safe, quality affordable housing. In fact, according to a Harvard University Housing Study the availability of affordable rental housing is being affected by:

High rental demand and low vacancy rates, which allow landlords to continually increase rental rates
Demand from higher income renters is driving the construction of luxury vs affordable multifamily rental housing

A recent Ohio Housing Finance Agency report that assessed the state’s housing needs noted that lower income Ohioans are struggling to pay for housing as they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. The agency discovered that there are only 43 available and affordable rental units for every 100 extremely low-income renter. And these extremely low-income renter households are typically made up disproportionately with seniors and/or small children.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL ASSISTANT POSITION

Feasibility Research Group (FRG), a privately-owned real estate services company specializing in commercial real estate appraisal, appraisal review, inspection, and research. We are seeking a Commercial Real Estate Appraisal Assistant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Search public databases (eg county auditor, county recorder’s office, etc.) and websites for subject property information (eg property zoning, taxes, deeds, etc.)
Contact brokers and market participants to verify commercial real estate comparable properties sales transactions and how they compare to the subject property
Contact property managers/leasing agents to verify apartment data including rental rates, occupancy levels, amenities, etc
Conduct online research on commercial properties
Accurately enter research findings for subject properties, commercial real estate and apartment complex rentals into FRG’s company database
Concisely and accurately write summaries of research findings
Assist appraisers with research and analysis of subject and comparable properties
Other duties may be assigned

FRG Wins 5-Year Contract with HUD

Feasibility Research Group (FRG) selected to perform rent comparability and post-rehabilitation studies (RCS) for the Midwest Region.

University Heights, OH (August 12, 2019) — FEASIBILITY RESEARCH GROUP (FRG), a real estate services firm based in Northeast Ohio, has been selected to provide rent comparability studies (RCS) for multifamily housing properties in the Midwest Region. The Midwest Region includes the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the completion of rent comparability studies in compliance with the latest version of Chapter 9 of the Section 8 Renewal Policy Guide.

“We are excited to work with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development” said Gregory Williams, MAI and FRG‘s Owner and Managing Director. “We are looking forward to helping to provide safe and affordable housing to communities throughout the Midwest.”

My 1st Leadership Development and Advisory Council Session

For more than 85 years, the Appraisal Institute (AI) has been a global professional association of real estate appraisers. AI works to develop real estate industry leaders and establish an appraiser presence in the United Stated Congress through its Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC). The Council is a group of dedicated appraisers who together once a year in Washington DC to generate solutions to challenges facing the appraisal profession.

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending my first LDAC session in Washington DC. I entered with no expectations other than using it as an opportunity to learn more about the Appraisal Institute and offer up a thought or two on promoting our industry. By the end of the week, I walked away from LDAC exceeding those expectations.

The LDAC discussion sessions afforded the opportunity to engage and brainstorm with appraisal professionals from all around the country. The sessions served as opportunity for us to come together to generate actionable ideas to solve some of the appraisal industry’s toughest problems. Serving as a member of the Ohio Chapter’s education committee I was very passionate about the education discussions. Based on my experience, I know that AI’s educational offering is superior to other competitive offerings. Our group discussed ideas on how to not only get non-AI members to take AI courses but to also use our education offering to entice non-members to become members.

Adventures in Property Inspections

As a MAI designated commercial appraiser, over the past 10 years, I have conducted a couple of thousand commercial property inspections, and each inspection is as unique as the commercial property appraisal. During an inspection I am typically accompanied by the owner or the owner’s agent. Most times the inspections are uneventful, and the owner/agent is helpful in providing insightful property, neighborhood and market area information needed to complete a comprehensive appraisal of the subject property. However, there have been occasions when the inspection becomes eventful –

The Helpful Owner

I do occasionally encounter owners who want to point out all the subject property’s current or planned amenities that they believe will significantly impact the value. Earlier this year I appraised an office park complex located parallel to a major highway in central Ohio. I was advised by the lender that the complex was fully leased and thus the income approach would be required. During the inspection, the owner shared that he thought it was vital that I consider the fact that he could have a billboard on his property which would generate additional income. Further, the owner spent a considerable amount of time sharing his marketing brochures to clearly demonstrate the type of tenants he would soon have in the complex. At the time of the inspection, the owner was the only tenant in the office complex, while the lender thought the property was fully leased.

The Fearful Tenant

Eminent Domain: What Options Do Property Owners Have?

As a MAI designated appraiser who completes right-of-way, acquisition and disposition appraisals, I have encountered a variety of situations where property owners are unaware of the complex process involved in a full or partial taking of private property. During this process, the appraiser can in fact assist the property owner in making sure they achieve the best possible outcome when selling their property to a government agency.

For example, once a state agency has determined that property is needed for public use, the property owner does not have an option to simply refuse the sale of their property. However, the government is required to ensure they compensate the owner fairly and cannot place any undue burdens or hardships on the property owners during this process. Thus, when the state claims private property through eminent domain, the property owner can have an impact on getting the best deal possible.

Here are some ways that property owners can make sure they are justly compensated, in the case of a state claim to their property:

FRG Continues Expansion Into Mid-Atlantic Region

Feasibility Research Group (FRG) has been selected to provide Appraisal Services for the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

University Heights, OH (April 3, 2019) — FEASIBILITY RESEARCH GROUP (FRG), a real estate appraisal and consulting firm based in Northeast Ohio, has been selected for Appraisal Services with the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

The District of Columbia Housing Authority requires professional appraisal services to support its Office of Capital Programs. The programs that FRG will support include the appraisal of mixed income, mix use development, public housing apartments.

“FRG looks forward to supporting the District of Columbia Housing Authority with their appraisal needs” said Gregory Williams, MAI and FRG‘s Owner and Managing Director. “FRG’s appraisals will support DCHA’s initiative to provide livable housing to support healthy and sustainable communities.”