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Appraisers are coining a new term for certain appraisal management company (AMC) staff - “Checkbox Chimps.” These are the personnel who are “reviewing” appraisals, and no matter how solid they may be, are instructing appraisers to change their reports.
Are they really providing an “appraisal review” or are they just checking boxes on a form?
Are…
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Survey Results: Relocation Appraisals Trending Up by Tina Lung, Vice President of Operations and Technology Worldwide ERC® According to a recent study and market trends reported by appraisers nationwide, now is a good time to move into relocation appraising. Appraisers coast to coast are reporting increased demand for relocation appraisals, which they attribute to higher...…
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Relocation Appraisals: What’s Not to Like? by David Brauner, Editor of WRE According to Dean Helsom, CRP relocation appraisals are one of the most satisfying types of assignments for all the right reasons: full fees, an absence of the typical pressures that appraisers face today and work that is challenging and rewarding. What’s not to...…
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Five Suggestions for Honest Appraisals by Doug Quenzer, Quenzer Appraisals, Inc. As we all know, lender pressure can vary but I agree that ultimately it is the appraiser who says yes or no. I’ve been there many times. The real question is how do we get rid of appraisers who always bow to lender pressure?…
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Editor’s Note: According to Don B. Swenson, MAI, changing your fortunes as an appraiser – moving from “form-filler” to consultant- if this is your goal, requires an expanded concept of appraising that looks beyond market value as being the solution to every problem. Those who manage to make the leap from appraising to consulting are...…
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Editor’s Note: Last issue, in Appraiser Cleans House, Christie Bond uncovered a dirty little secret shared by many appraisers: they love working with AMCs! In response to a mailbag full of reader questions, Christie brings us this follow up: Making Money with AMCs. Making Money with AMCs By Christie Bond So you have heard the...…
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Raising the Scope: New Role of Scope-of-Work By Sean Heath Ah, the law of unintended consequences. As defined, it means that the actions of people—especially governments—always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended. The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB), through their annual edits and amendments, has tried to make the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice...…
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Fannie’s New Forms: Jury Out / Reviews In Editor’s Note: Perhaps the biggest recent news for appraisers is that Fannie Mae has released new test forms for use and review by lenders and appraisers (see sidebar). Fannie’s stated focus is “To provide lenders with a property valuation process that will enable them to more efficiently...…
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Fitch, Fannie and Fraud: Conference Roundup WRE hit the road to bring you the latest from several important industry gatherings (see insert). With many practitioners working from home offices, these conferences help us all stay connected and up to speed. The issues that emerged this year are familiar but include some new twists: AVMs, fraud,...…
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Survival 101: Getting Ahead without Going Along By Tim Cullen, IFAS Why are so many appraisers angry and bitter? First, we appraisers are designated to be the only disinterested party in a real estate transaction. We function as the eyes and ears of lenders, or as some say, as the “gatekeepers” in the real estate...…
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