Report Writing: Doing it Better to Better Your Business By: Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop Introduction We all like inspecting houses. It’s fun and challenging and we are really good at seeing things that mere mortals can’t. The “show and tell” with clients is rewarding, and the appreciation they feel at the end of the process…
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Editor’s Note: The following is reaction to our story: Fannie offers Cert #23 “Fix” & More. Appraisers Respond: Cert #23 Big Bad Fannie If you play Family Feud and one of your partners gives a stupid answer to a question, most everyone on your panel knows its stupid but they applaud, scream, and cheer anyway. If…
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Editor’s Note: E.J. Frank discusses techniques to make us better business people by being happier and less stressed. Better Appraising from the Inside Out by E.J. Frank There is good news and I want to share it with you. It’s not like any of us need to be reminded of the multitude of changes from…
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The good news for appraisers is that the Financial Reform legislation recently signed into law puts teeth into its mandate that appraisers be paid fees that are “customary and reasonable.” Now what?
The “bite” that Congress provided is wording which states that “such fees may be established by objective third-party information, such as government agency fee…
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Employee or Contractor? You (Don’t) Make the Call – IRS Does Editor’s Note: Several appraisers in California recently reported that the Employment Development Department (tax collectors) in their area is targeting appraisal offices looking for independent contractors where, in their judgment, “employees” should be. And theirs is the only opinion that counts. The consequences are…
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Editor’s Note: Hundreds, possibly thousands of appraisers are left with unpaid invoices as a result of AppraiserLoft shutting its doors; now one major lender is stepping up and paying up. Lender Paying Appraisers Stiffed by AppraiserLoft By Isaac Peck, Assistant Editor The argument is unsettled to what degree lenders are responsible for the agents they…
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Wells Fargo Paying JVI Bad Debt By Isaac Peck, Associate Editor Appraisers getting stiffed by appraisal management companies (AMCs), that either declare bankruptcy or simply fail to pay, remains a hot-button issue for the industry. As many appraisers are reporting on OREP/Working RE’s AMC Rater blog, JVI Solutions is the latest AMC to leave appraisers…
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Editor’s Note: In this opinion piece, appraiser Andy Anderson expresses what many of his colleagues are thinking about the upcoming UMDP requirements. UMDP/UAD: Road to Ruin? By Andy Anderson The Uniform Mortgage Data Program (UMDP) is mandated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs) under the direction of their federal regulator, the Federal Housing Finance…
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Mobile Appraising: Saving Both Time and Money By Dustin Harris, “The Appraiser Coach” Appraisers who are truly ‘mobile’ are using laser measurers, tablet PCs or smartphones, and software to upload reports remotely to the office to be more competitive- to save time and money. As I travel the country mentoring various appraisal business owners, I…
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Staff from the Federal Reserve Board recently requested survey results from the OREP.org/Working RE Customary and Reasonable Fee Survey, with over 16,500 appraisers participating. Why? Because customary and reasonable fees and other issues related to the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Legislation are not settled, according to the Federal Reserve, who is tasked with implementing the law-…
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