Five Step Program for (Honest) Appraisers By Phil Boehm We live in interesting times. Large and small lending operations are doing battle for the remnants of the re-fi market. The Internet makes it easy for small, aggressive shops to compete with larger lenders on rates and fees. Borrowers are much smarter and much more likely...…
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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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Editor’s Note: The following is excerpted from a freewheeling online discussion among appraisers about AVMs. It makes for interesting reading: if you want to know about something – ask an expert. AVMs: Ask an Expert(s) Just what is “Value” Anyway? – Since accuracy is determined by sale price, how can an AVM not be the...…
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Truth about Coming In Low By Larry Cole In my market, if an appraiser comes in below the contract price he/she has 10 times the work to defend the low value. When this happens, the appraiser is assaulted by the lender, agents and the seller. (Seldom do I hear from the buyer.) If I’m low...…
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Appraisers: Doing the Bump “Bump Logic” and Why It’s in Your Future This is why you may be doing the “bump” in the near future, even if you don’t dance. “Bump Logic,” as explained at the recent Predictive Methods Conference (hosted by Veros Software), is the process of selecting the appropriate valuation method for a...…
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“If men were virtuous, there would be no need of government at all.” Thomas Jefferson 2006: Cleaning Up the Lending Mess By Stewart Heller The following is a summary of notes taken from the official audio recording of the sworn testimony of a chief appraiser of a major mortgage lender. The chief appraiser appeared before...…
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Bye, Bye ASC? Appraisal Subcommittee Under Fire Is it Time to Start Over? You may already know that late last year the Georgia Appraisal Board, in a letter to Sen. Zell Miller, (D-Ga.), called for broad changes to the appraisal regulatory structure, including sun setting the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC). What you may not know is...…
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Editor’s Note: In this installment of Valuation Issues and Answers, Lifflander, ASA,explains how to handle foreclosures and short sales when choosing comparables. Valuation Issues & Answers Foreclosures & Short Sales as Comps By John Lifflander, ASA Question: Please explain the difference between an actual foreclosure sale and a short sale. Should short sales be used…
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Editor’s Note: There will be life after HVCC. Here, appraiser Paul Chandler, MAI, offers his insider’s view on AMCs and how to make the new changes work for you. HVCC/AMCs – Change Equals Opportunity by Paul E. Chandler, MAI The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), effective May 1, 2009, has created uncertainty and apprehension...…
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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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