Appraisal Blog

I announce my candidacy for election to the Mammoth Lakes Town Council. I am a long-time resident of Mammoth Lakes, having been raised here and then after higher education and work experience out of the area, returning to Mammoth as my permanent home and to engage in my profession. These years and connections with our community give me the sense that I have the pulse of our community ingrained into my character. Mammoth has given a lot to me over the years and enabled me to grow and prosper. It is now my turn to give back to our community what I can offer for success and prosperity.

My education ranges from Mammoth Mountain pre-school to the corridors of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. My professional experience includes my ownership and operation of two professional businesses here in town. I've sat on the Mono County Assessment Appeals Board and I am an active member in our business community. I also donate consistently both time and money to local charities and programs. I've supported our local contractor's in lowering residential DIF fees and I'm a huge fan of our bear management programs.

Recently I worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the Village at Mammoth and various sponsors in putting on the first annual and successful "Mammoth Rocks" event, which drew an estimated 6,500 attendees; we need to support more events like this going into the future. I am also the leasing agent for the Village at Mammoth, contributing to its successful revitalization and increasing employment opportunities in Mammoth.

As a local businessman, I want to bring common sense, straight talk and hard work to our town council. I live by a pro-active, not re-active, approach to leadership and I'm determined to work with our other council members in making fast and effective decisions; ending the days of "process" and inaction. I'm best known for my honesty, integrity and ability to get things done.

In addition to my experience and sense of business and community, I have the greatest understanding that the reason that we all live in Mammoth is because of its natural beauty and quality of life. Caring for our environment is not a catchy punch line, but a lifestyle we all strive to live by. I recently demonstrated that development and environment can work effectively together by completing a tentative tract map that incorporates extensive environmentally conscience concepts with developers needs. I'm confident that this project will be a local model for future developments.

I will be very active in evaluating and improving our Town's budget, as this has been a huge point of contention in recent years. While our town has made efforts to improve our town budget, it has not adapted fast enough for these challenging economic times. Insufficient measures have been taken to cut spending, increase efficiencies, or to drive more business into our community.

Our community is, has been, and will in the future be impacted by many issues, with all of us having many different viewpoints. I will find common ground on these issues in order to achieve results, but I understand that this will always be a challenge. It is my sincere desire to bridge the gaps between our different viewpoints and bring our town together as one.

I respectfully seek your support in electing me to work with you.

Who We Are

Our Mission The purpose of the Mammoth Lakes Foundation is to support higher education and cultural enrichment in the Eastern Sierra.

Our Vision To establish a permanent campus in the Mammoth Lakes area that will provide facilities for academic studies, appreciation of the arts, and student housing.

Dave McCoy's vision to cultivate higher education and the arts in the Eastern Sierra is a vision that is shared by many. It is a vision that the Mammoth Lakes Foundation looks to time and time again for inspiration and purpose. The availability of higher education and cultural enrichment in the Eastern Sierra enhances the quality of life enjoyed by residents, second homeowners and visitors. It balances the recreational attractions in the community with cultural and educational opportunities. Higher education promotes leadership, stimulates growth and builds a stronger year round economy and community. More...

Mammoth Lakes Foundation (Source) of the content of this blog www.mammothlakesfoundation.org

What We Do

Celebrating 20 Years!

This year the Mammoth Lakes Foundation is celebrating 20 years of accomplishments. 20 years ago the idea of a college in Mammoth was considered a dream. Today the Eastern Sierra College Center - Mammoth and Bishop Campuses support 300 full-time students. One day we plan on welcoming 1000 students at the Mammoth Campus. Please look at the Master Concept Plan below to see past accomplishments and future goals.

In 1999, the Mammoth Lakes Foundation Completed a land exchange with the US Forest Service for 86 acres known as the South Gateway. Today there are seven structures which support education and cultural enrichment. Over the next 20 years, we expect to see the campus grow with more programs, more students and more facilities.

Purple: Existing Buildings

Blue and Red: Proposed Facilities - are conditional upon approval and funding

Student Housing

Mammoth Lakes Foundation Opens First California Community College Housing in over 20 Years

Driven by our mission to support higher education and cultural enrichment in the Eastern Sierra, South Gateway Student Apartments opened its doors at the Grand Opening on August 9, 2008. This is the first community college student housing facility to open in California in over two decades. The construction of South Gateway in Mammoth makes a total of 12 community colleges in the state (of 109 total California community colleges) that provide optional housing for students. The deluxe apartment-style housing units are located adjacent to the fully-accredited Mammoth Campus of Cerro Coso Community College in the heart of Mammoth Lakes.

The new facility is owned and operated by the Mammoth Lakes Foundation (MLF) and will exceed common expectations of student housing. More...

Mammoth Ski Museum

 

The Mammoth Ski Museum is home to the Beekley International Collection of Skiing Art & Literature. Enjoy and explore the largest private collection of skiing's fine art and literature in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Five hundred years of the sport and culture of skiing await you. Tour our exhibitions and research library.

Revisit early Sierra and Mammoth ski history. Dave McCoy, founder of Mammoth Mountain ski area and the ski pioneers of the Sierra share their legendary stories through evolving exhibits and films in the Pioneer Theater & Gallery More...

Through the efforts of Trademark Properties, Intrawest, and the owners of the Village at Mammoth (CNL), The Village is beggining to show signs of revitilization and excitment.   

Only 4 months ago, the Village at Mammoth was approximatly 60% occupied leaving much of Mammoth wondering what the future was going to hold, however the foresight of the landlords and efforts of Trademark Properties has shown that the Village at Mammoth is a desirable place to locate a new business.   7 new stores have signed on to the commercial locations in the village including Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Quicksilver/Roxy, Gomez's Mexican Restaurant, and many others.

Adding to the excitment of new tenants is the long awaited Mammoth Mountain "Ski Back" trail.   The ski back trail was approved early 2009.   Mammoth Mountain has worked diligently to make sure the trail is ready for use. 

Finally, Horizon Air has announced flights to Mammoth Lakes from 4 new cities; San Jose, Seattle, Portland and Reno.  

California property owners are assessed on an annual basis (you usually receive your property assessment between July and September) for the new Fiscal Year, but you still have an opportunity to appeal between July 2nd and November 30th. Visit our website at: www.matthewlehmanappraisal.com for details on the Appeals Process. Look at the Assessment Appeals tab for questions and answers.

When you sign the authorization for Matthew Lehman Appraisal, Inc. to represent you, your obligations are complete. You do nothing and the responsibility becomes ours. We do everything from filing theapplication to attending the appeal hearing. We also send you copies of all correspondence.

Keep in mind, “you get what you pay for” Many advanced-fee firms will file your claim for an “up front” fee. Here is the problem… These organizations collect the fee and either file your claim and disappear, or they file your claim and accept a “token” reduction. They have no incentive to fight for a reduced value since they’ve already been paid. Never pay any firm in advance to reduce your assessment!

We represent homeowners and commercial properties of all types. Our client base includes many attorneys and accountants. We represent their personal real property, as well as many of their client properties.

We send you the necessary forms to be signed, and upon return, we file your application with the County (with copies sent to you). California Counties have up to two years to resolve your appeal, but most process appeals within 6-8 months. The sooner we file on your behalf, the quicker any refund will be sent.

 No, you may or may not receive even a nominal reduction with the Assessor review process. You also have no rights in this procedure. With an appeal, we file through the County Board of Supervisors, not the Assessor. You are guaranteed a hearing, with proper representation and due process.

Matthew Lehman Appraisal, Inc. has been appealing property tax values for a long time. Matthew Lehman Appraisal, Inc. was originally formed in 1989 as a typical appraisal business, performing residential, commercial and industrial appraisal reports. In 1993, numerous requests were received to represent property owners in assessment appeals. We appraiser’s that devote 100% of their efforts exclusively toward representing owners in assessment appeal matters. We represent the smallest & largest of all types of properties throughout California.

I have an Income Property, how does this affect the appeal?

If your property is leased to another party, we may require additional information specific to that lease. Remember, we represent you and all information is confidential.

You may absolutely file an appeal on your own behalf…. The problem is: Many property owners are called to attend the Appeals hearing and are either ill-prepared, or completely intimidated by the proceedings. The Appeals hearing may require valuation support such as; Sales Comparison, Regression Analysis, Cost and Paired Sales Analysis, etc. Matthew Lehman Appraisal, Inc. is always prepared to address all issues.

I don’t want to do anything right now…..I just want to “think about it”  Your hesitation is understood & appreciated. Kindly save our letter in a place where you keep your most important documents. Keep in mind your final day to file an appeal is November 30, 2009.

I will be getting a new tax bill for 2008-09. How would this affect my current assessment appeal, and what should I do? Pay your Property Tax bills as normal. Our successful appeal will result in a partial tax refund paid directly to you.

Horizon Air has made it official that there will now be 6 flights into Mammoth Lakes for the 2009 and 2010 winter season.  

Flights will include flights to and from Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Reno and San Jose. 

Matthew Lehman, and Trademark Properties, has been selected as the leasing agent for the Village at Mammoth.  

It is the goal of Matthew Lehman to fill the Village at Mammoth to a occupancy level of 80% of greater by November of 2009. 

For those that don't know the Village at Mammoth, it is a recently completed Intrawest project located at the base of the Mammoth Mountain Ski area Gondola and the proposed Mammoth Mountain ski Area-ski back trail. 

At present there are many prospective tenants for some of the prominant positions within the Village, and with agressive leasing terms the Village is expected to see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel.

Over the past months, Matthew Lehman, Mark Deeds and Betsy Smith have been working diligently on advancing the Mammoth Rocks musical concert and the Taste of the Sierra Event in Mammoth Lakes, Califorina.  

With the help of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Intrawest, CNL Development and many other local businesses in the area, the event is expected to be a success.

In addition to hit performers, the event will also host a "Taste of Event", which will allow visitors to taste their way through the sierras without leaving the comfort of the Village at Mammoth or ear's shot of the music.

Please come and see this great event.

www.mammothrocks.net or www.thetasteofthesierra.com

I wanted to post my opinion of the "Home Valuation Code of Conduct" and express how it has impacted this appraiser's business and opinions of the finance industry.

Over the past year,  Fannie Mae has required that all federally related transactions be submitted through a third party, or Appraisal Managment Company.  This regulation was initially submitted as a means of trying to regulate corroberation between mortgage companies and appraisers, which in my opinion was never a serious issue.   There are bad apples in very group, but they are certainly the minority.

Anyway, in attempts to correct a potentially corrupt situation, the federal govenment has created a clearly disruptive and likely more currupt situation, distroying one of the best financial systems in the world.  The number of potential lenders has been reduced drastically, reducing competition and fair play. 

The appraisal industry has been reduced to excessive work for limited pay, and only so the Appraisal Managment Companies, tied to the primary lenders, can generate a profit.  The quality of appraisals has been reduced due to the selection of new/inexperienced, or unqualified, appraisers willing to work for slave wages.  The appraisal managment companies take anywhere from 20% to 50% fees charges to borrowers and the appraisals now take much longer to complete... as a result of delays on the appraisal managment companies part.

To save the finance industry and the capitalistic way of life, the HVCC or Home Valuation Code of Conduct must be removed and appraisers need to have their hands freed, so that fair valuations can be completed.

On August 21st and August 22nd in the Village at Mammoth, the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Taste of the Sierra event that will showcase various foods from some of the Sierras favorite restaurants.  

Additionally, musical acts such as Jeffery James and the Wanted Boys, Sticky Fingers, and SuperDiamond will be performing for your enjoyment.   You won't want to miss either of these events.   Visit www.mammothrocks.net for information on the event.

You can also look up this event on www.thetasteofthesierra.com.