What is RBO? That’s the question my friends recently asked me after one of our friend’s properties became a liability. As you may know, there are some states in the US that require a property to be inspected for rot before it can be sold or rented. When I researched this myself, I quickly came to the realization that this may have been an error on the part of the salesperson.
So, what is RBO anyway? A real estate broker’s term for ROI is “return on investment”. In simple terms, it is the total amount a customer pays you back when he or she buys or sells a house or property. It is usually the biggest expense for a tree company or a realtor to get this task done. In fact, some states require it. Therefore, if you work with an experienced tree company, they will most likely have already completed this task and will be reporting its results to the buyer (or his or her agent).
Some companies will charge a flat fee for its services and require no upfront payments. In many cases, these types of companies operate on what is known as a “finders fee” basis. They gather their information by charging the customer a portion of any sales that results from the use of their services.
The best way for a customer to find out what these types of companies charge is to ask how much the total includes. Also, try calling them up. Most companies have an easy to find phone number. If they don’t or won’t let you call them, then look somewhere else.
There are other companies that do charge a flat rate for its service. In most cases, you will receive a quote via email. However, some may still require a phone call or office visit. This is typically the case if you have a very large or high-rise residential property. These types of property generally require more detailed work.
When you use one of these companies, you should know that its valuation includes not only the direct cost of the work but also all related expenses. This includes anything such as the disposal of old wood and debris and any paint chips from your home which may be used to repair the property. If you have a property that is in a wooded area, you should also expect a property value appraisal which will most likely include cutting down trees or clearing the land for new development.