When sales activity has diminished, as is the case in today’s market, appraisers have a much smaller pool of comparable transactions available to them. Such times require that appraisers give greater scrutiny to transactions that have traditionally been discarded.
Here’s why and how appraisers are reconsidering foreclosures, short sales and listings in an upside down market.
Foreclosures
A…
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Your workfile is just as important as your appraisal report. Just ask any lender, appraisal management company, client, or worse, your state’s investigator. The workfile is the backbone of your report. It supports everything in your appraisal report.
Your workfile for an appraisal of a single family residence or a condominium unit should contain a minimum…
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Legislation to regulate appraiser management companies (AMCs) has been signed into law in three states (UT, AR, NM) as of this writing and is being considered in many others. Appraiser “independence” legislation also has passed in a number of states this year.
At the federal level, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of…
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Editor’s Note: Everybody knows these are not the happiest or most lucrative times for appraisers. Here are a few things you may not know, according to our latest survey, including what the vast majority of appraisers say may be the key to higher fees. State of Industry: AMC Boycott, Hanging On and Other Issues by...…
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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act includes a section referred to as the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act in Title XIV. The appraisal activities provisions are located within Subtitle F, which includes the following highlights:
Sub prime mortgages will require written appraisal reports by state-licensed appraisers, including an…
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A common issue in residential appraising is construction which has not been issued an appropriate building permit by the jurisdictional authority. Here’s how to handle this sometimes difficult situation.
Examples of this issue include: additions and detached guesthouses; and garages that have been modified for use as a living area. One needs only to peruse online…
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In this period of economic and social change, clients are looking for professional appraisers to answer questions that until now have not been asked. Price and timing are the hot-button issues. While many appraisers are raging against the downward pressure on fees and the increased pressure for faster turn times, I have instead begun…
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Expectations have changed considerably over the past few years. An appraiser who was considered to be the best and at the top of their game a few years ago can find themselves lost and confused in today’s market. Clients want more information and they want it in less time and sometimes for less money. Learning…
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When it comes to fair fees, if you’re waiting for government help, you may be waiting a long time. The issue over customary and reasonable fees (CRF) for appraisers under Dodd-Frank is far from settled. For now, when it comes to earning fair fees, you may be your own best friend.
As most know by now,…
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Whether testifying as an expert witness on someone’s behalf or in defense of your own appraisal before a state licensing board or judge, your keys for success are the same.
Depositions
Testimony in a deposition is recorded by a court reporter and is part of the official transcript. It is, therefore, as important as testimony at trial.…
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