Industry News Scope Creep Relief Here is Addendum Language shared by appraiser Laurie Richards. MODIFICATIONS TO A SUBMITTED ORIGINAL REPORT: The client or lender must submit in writing (e-mail is preferred) any request for additional information or modification to the appraiser. This information will be retained in the appraiser’s workfile. The appraiser recognizes that…
Read More
Readers Respond Interview: Appraiser Who Brought Down Countrywide Thank you, Mr. Lagow, for having the courage to speak up to help society. Your efforts were NOT in vain. Although mortgage work is tempting and easy at times, these type of situations force us (appraisers) to look at who we are and what is important.…
Read More
Like being in the middle of a paintball free-for-all, messy things are coming at appraisers from all sides these days. In addition to lenders trying to pin buybacks on the backs of appraisers (while seeming to ignore the wild-west underwriting practices that floated the bubble), State Boards also are bringing complaints against appraisers in…
Read More
Editor’s Note: At OREP, we see that incorrect measurements are the cause of many E&O claims. Here are some tips on staying out of trouble. How to Report Building Areas Accurately (and avoid measurement mistakes) by Mark S. Langhamer As appraisers and review appraisers, some of us have seen fellow appraisers relying on building area...…
Read More
Alternately, you can envision this hard time as an opportunity to position yourself with a slightly modified appraisal practice in the near future.
Read More
Proving Appraisal Adjustments By Beverly A Bayer, SRA – Mvappraiser@yahoo.com When I began appraising, I asked my mentor what adjustments to use- he said, “Figure it out for yourself.” So I did. Here’s what I learned. When my mentor left the office, I studied his appraisals and began using his adjustments. Many years later, I…
Read More
Events Leading to the Use of the Cost Segregation Study by Guy P. Reese, MAI and Kevin Cavasos, CMI Component depreciation in various forms was permitted by IRS for measuring depreciation until the establishment of the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Under MACRS, assets are grouped into…
Read More
Editor’s Note: Kenneth W. Brown, SRA wants you to work the system- in a good way. Appraisers- Working the System By David Brauner, Editor Kenneth W. Brown, SRA wants you to work the system- in a good way. Here’s what he means. Brown, appraising since 1991, is sending and posting the following message (below) to…
Read More
Editor’s Note: A desktop appraisal product introduced last month is the subject of concern among many Working RE readers and OREP.org members. Below is guidance issued by the North Carolina Appraisal Board. AMC-Desktop Product: USPAP Compliant? By David Brauner, Editor A new desktop product from a large, national appraisal management company (AMC) is drawing questions...…
Read More
IndyMac – What Goes Around Comes Around By David Brauner, WRE Editor Not to kick a fella when he’s down, but following the collapse of IndyMac Bank last week, we received an email from a “blacklisted” appraiser that got us thinking. This appraiser, who wishes to remain anonymous, is one of several who told us…
Read More