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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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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Like most real estate appraisal boards, Florida’s Board publishes an annual summary of the cases it finalizes against its appraisers. Florida’s Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB) does not intend these summaries to be lengthy analyses of “what went wrong” or something law students might study for insight. They are merely summaries of the charges the…
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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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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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Blacklisting with a Twist By Isaac Peck Last issue Working RE reported on an appraiser who was given a tough choice by Chase Bank: violate USPAP by discussing an appraisal with them – an entity other than the client, or face blacklisting (Lender’s Choice- Summer 2012). This time, Chase is offering a third option to...…
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Appraisers & Gramm-Leach-Bliley By Pat Butler Most appraisers have heard of Gramm-Leach-Bliley (Privacy Act) but few understand their obligations under the Act. Appraisers have disclosure obligations under Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GBL) when they are hired directly by a consumer to conduct an appraisal. Compliance means disclosing to the client whether any of their nonpublic personal information will...…
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Editor’s Note: This is an actual claims rebuttal letter sent to opposing counsel, written by a claims adjuster on behalf of an insured. The names have been changed. Disclaimer: This article is written from an insurance perspective and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. It is not the intent of this article…
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Editor’s Note: In this story, USPAP instructor Bryan Reynolds offers some solid advice on making the best of what can be a difficult situation: dealing with an attorney and going to court.
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