Midwest Appraisal Associates

04/13/2026

Those who know me understand my fondness for historic homes, which prompted me to spend time walking through MID city New Orleans, taking in the splendor of these architectural gems during my recent visit.

Quiet streets, but full of story.

Unlike the French Quarter, these homes reflect a different chapter—late 1800s to early 1900s growth, where raised foundations, deep porches, and tall windows weren’t just design… they were built for the climate.

Function became beauty.

Clean lines, symmetry, and subtle details—nothing loud, but everything intentional.

New Orleans doesn’t just have one identity… it evolves block by block.

04/13/2026

In New Orleans for a LegalShield convention;

Walking through the French Quarter, I realized something—
what we call “French” is actually a blend of French roots and Spanish rebuilding after devastating fires in the 1700s.

The architecture, the colors, the details… it’s not just beautiful, it’s a story of survival and culture layered over time.

From there to Mid-City, every corner of New Orleans feels alive.

Patty Smith

06/19/2025

Here is an example of a “Builders Contemporary 1960-1985” in
Omaha, Nebraska …
6617 Cuming St (built ~1976) — a recessed-entry brick home with a sunken courtyard, wood panels, and gabled roof—classic late‑60s/early‑70s clean design

02/20/2025

FHA appraisal requests are on the rise. Why the increase in FHA recently?

Midwest Appraisal Associates, Inc and Smith Valuation Services. specializing in residential Real Estate Property Appraisals.

10/23/2024

🏡 **2024 Fall Quarter Housing Trends in Omaha, Nebraska** 🏡
As we approach the fall quarter of 2024, the Omaha housing market is experiencing some notable trends.
📊 **Inventory:** Low rental availability has created a growing diversity in housing options, ranging from apartments to shared living spaces. While some neighborhoods are seeing a slight increase in listings, others remain competitive, making it essential for prospective renters to act quickly.
💰 **Prices:** Overall, rental prices have shown moderate increases compared to last year. Average rents are rising, particularly in popular areas near universities and downtown.
🏘️

06/08/2024

I am working on a fundraiser fo these children. We trying raise enough money to pay their school tuition in the next few days. I am asking my friends and colleagues to help me make a difference. The gofundme link is below. Even a small donation will help.

05/18/2024

Ask the Appraiser: Will landscaping add value to my home?
-added
Enhancing a property's landscaping can improve its marketability by enhancing curb appeal and creating a more inviting appearance for potential buyers. It can be challenging to quantify the exact increase in value resulting from landscaping improvements, most real estate professionals know a well-maintained yard and attractive landscaping can contribute to marketability and a faster sale.
In neighborhoods where extensive landscaping is common, bringing the subject property's landscaping up to par with the area standards may be necessary to maintain the property's competitiveness in the market. This can be seen as a way to ensure that the property is in line with what buyers in that area are expecting, making it more appealing compared to neighboring properties.
Conversely, in neighborhoods where most properties have average landscaping, investing in extensive landscaping may not necessarily provide a significant return on investment. It could be considered an over-improvement, as buyers in that market may not be willing to pay a premium for additional landscaping features beyond what is typically seen in the area.
Overall, while landscaping enhancements can help a property stand out and attract buyers, it's essential to consider the local market standards and preferences to maximize the investment in landscaping improvements and ensure they align with potential buyers' expectations.

02/03/2024

How do you value short term rentals for investing and refinance?

Midwest Appraisal Associates Inc, Council Bluffs-Omaha-St Petersburg IA-NE-FL Real Estate Listings and homes for sale, local information, free advice for home buyers and sellers.

01/27/2023

The Cohen Building has was a long-time retail spot in Council Bluffs and most recently was home to the EQ School of Hair Design, before it relocated. It since became SOHO Hair Academy.

12/09/2022

are an increasingly common sight on homes - but did you know that their value is often determined by whether or not the homeowner owns them? If you're thinking of installing them, it's important to understand how they can impact your
home's value. Click the link below to read the full blog?

🔗https://bit.ly/3HkwAc6

Do you currently have solar panels? Let me know in the comments!