You can have the latest map program, aerials and any other special effects to make your report look as attractive and professional as possible but if you choose the wrong comparables, your result will be the worst appraisal report possible. This article shows the best way to choose comps, especially when sales of properties are…
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When are requests for additional comps and other items a legitimate part of underwriting and when are they a not-so-subtle attempt to influence value? That is a question many appraisers are asking lately. At stake are many things, including whether consumers are really better off after all.
The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), with its…
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Editor’s Note: Despite getting the short end of the stick, appraisers have stood up, fought back and made progress since the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) was imposed on the profession over two years ago. And the final story is not written yet. Why Appraisers Should Pat Themselves on Back By David Brauner, Editor...…
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Would any American go to a football game in a league where the referees are legally allowed to be advocates for one of the teams? Football is only successful if its referees are viewed as being fair and non-advocates. They may miss a few calls, but overall, they are viewed as fair. …
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Whoever believes the days of value and other forms of pressure are behind appraisers, thanks to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and its focus on appraiser independence, ought to talk to appraiser David Smith in San Diego- if they do they’ll get an earful.
Appraiser abuse is apparently alive and well but the good…
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My last article discussed choosing comparable sales in a tough market. As was discussed in that article, in today’s market, it is very difficult to obtain comparable sales and listings that best reflect comparison to the subject. Some sales and/or listings might be older but more similar to the subject; others may be…
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Editor’s Note: Diversification is one of the keys to survival and prosperity in the new real estate world. Busy or not, right now is the best time to begin laying the groundwork for future success. Building Business: What’s Next? By Lore DeAstra, MBA, SRA, CDEI Most appraisers have been on a roller coaster ride unlike...…
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In 1994 Fannie Mae formally introduced environmental due diligence to the appraisal industry- so what has changed?
The Appraisal Journal (January 1995), published by the Appraisal Institute, included an article that reviewed what was then new environmental reporting requirements put in place by Fannie Mae and the new Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) form (effective January…
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You receive a call from a lender or an appraisal management company (AMC) who wants to talk to you about an appraisal assignment you recently completed for them. The call usually comes from the quality control department at the post closing stage of the loan. They start questioning you on your line item adjustments. …
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After over two years and many tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue, appraiser Bill Smith fought his way off Citibank’s infamous “do not use list.” Here’s how he did it.
To begin with, Smith (not his real name), has a “can you top this” aspect of how he was blacklisted in the first…
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