“Virtual” Debate: What does “Inspection” Mean? Technology may have evolved enough to make “virtual” inspections a reality but do they meet state and other regulatory guidelines? Is it ok for supervising appraisers to use trainees as surrogates to inspect properties? As technology advances, and the use of trainees becomes more widespread, these questions are on...…
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Editor’s Note: July 1, 2006 the new USPAP takes effect. By all accounts the changes are some of the most significant ever as well as some of the most welcome. USPAP instructor and author Lee Hess takes you through a series of common questions and answers to help you shorten the learning curve and keep…
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Editor’s Note: If you wonder what it takes to be a great mentor, Karen Oberman, SRA and Alan Hummel, SRA provide the following roadmap. If you are a young (or not so young) appraiser looking to improve, let the following serve more as a treasure map for a bright and successful future. Appraiser Treasure Map:...…
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How to Make Six Figures Appraising by David Brauner, Editor What began as a “pep talk” for trainees turns out to be pretty good advice for every appraiser. Walt Humphrey, IFAC, was reading the online laments of several trainees struggling to make ends meet while earning their appraising stripes- working a second job on weekends,...…
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2006 Your Way by John Holbrook About seven years ago I remember walking into my local one-hour photo shop and telling the owner Steve that I wouldn’t be dropping in anymore. I was so proud of my new $700 digital camera that I just had to share it with him. I remember him chuckling about...…
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Reduce Headaches: Customer Satisfaction Survey by Nick Gromicko, Founder of NACHI NACHI’s Customer Satisfaction Survey hits seven birds with one stone. 1. It limits your liability. Often, a client who is dissatisfied will describe your services to his/her agent/Realtor (or worse, a judge) much differently than the truth. Procuring and maintaining a copy of this survey will bring them back...…
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Interview with David Braun MAI, SRA author of Appraising in the New Millennium: Due Diligence and Scope of Work- Second Edition Editor’s Note: If you’re like Leory Eide or Red Blumenstock or one of the over 13,000 other appraisers who enjoyed a free download of Appraising in the New Millennium: Due Diligence and Scope of...…
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Collection Strategies (That Work) By David Brauner, Editor Appraiser and office manager Nikki Moffatt, like most of us, gets pretty tired of chasing deadbeat clients. Here are a few tips she has developed out of necessity and frustration. If a check bounces you can take it back to originating bank and if there are funds,…
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Editor’s Note: In a recent Q&A, Fannie Mae’s Mark Simpson, Director Property Standards, Single-Family Credit, makes clear that the word “inspection” on the new forms is Fannie’s clear intent and will not be changed- despite concerns that it can mislead homeowners into thinking they are getting a home inspection rather than an appraisal, and rumblings…
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Editor’s Note: At a recent conference, Fannie Mae’s Mark Simpson, Director Property Standards, Single-Family Credit, shared how insurance industry changes offer appraisers a new opportunity to provide lenders with an additional service: replacement cost data. The data is used to determine an appropriate level of hazard insurance for Fannie loans. Fannie requires hazard insurance that…
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